Moving to a new city or state can be exciting! But are you fully prepared to live safely in your new neighborhood? After you've moved in and crossed every to-do off your checklist, you may be wondering what you should look into next. Once you get settled into your new home, it's essential to take time to learn about your new neighborhood and its crime trends. While it may not be the most exciting part of your move, it is crucial and can help improve safety measures in your home and prevent you or your family from becoming victims of crime.

There are plenty of online tools that can help you gauge your neighborhood's safety level. You can start by visiting your local law enforcement's webpage and reviewing their crime statistics and reports. The Community Crime Map is another great tool to learn about crime in your area and provides analytics such as time of day, day of the week, and a breakdown of the most common types of crime. Family Watchdog can also provide valuable information about your neighborhood. This website offers a free service to help locate registered sex offenders and provide notifications when offenders move in and out of your area.

Community organizations such as your neighborhood watch can also be a great resource in learning more about your community. If you don't have a neighborhood watch where you live, talking to your neighbors can be just as helpful and provide insight about issues on your block. Building a good network among neighbors can also ensure your property is being looked after throughout the day. Free apps like NextDoor and Neighbors can also help you learn about day-to-day crime and get you connected to larger communities.

Wherever you've moved to in Maricopa County, it's important you feel safe in your home. Although research is a significant first step, keeping your home and family safe will require more than just awareness. Take action and improve the safety measures in your home as soon as possible. Visit our Home Safety page to learn more.