Members of the community can support safer neighborhoods during National Crime Prevention Month while also reducing your environmental impact through simple, sustainable actions.
Observed each October, National Crime Prevention Month is led by the National Crime Prevention Council and encourages people to build safer, stronger communities through neighborhood involvement, personal safety awareness, community engagement and crime-prevention education.
Here are 20 environmentally friendly ways to celebrate National Crime Prevention Month, based on guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice and crime-prevention experts.
Organize a neighborhood litter cleanup
Cleaner, well-maintained
neighborhoods can foster community pride and support crime-prevention efforts. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design emphasizes maintenance and upkeep as important community safety principles.
Plant native trees and shrubs in public spaces
Native landscaping can enhance public areas, support local wildlife and encourage residents to take an active role in neighborhood improvement efforts.
Start a community garden
Community gardens bring neighbors together, encourage stewardship and strengthen social connections that can help build stronger communities.
Hold a bike-to-the-watch-meeting event
Encourage participants to walk or bike to Neighborhood Watch meetings to reduce vehicle emissions while increasing community participation.
Install energy-efficient outdoor lighting
LED lighting can improve visibility while using less energy and lowering utility costs.
Host a paperless crime-prevention workshop
Use email, QR codes and digital handouts instead of printed materials to reduce paper consumption and waste.
Recycle old neighborhood signage
Replace damaged signs with recycled-content materials when possible and recycle old signage rather than sending it to a landfill.
Create a neighborhood tool-sharing program
Sharing infrequently used tools and equipment can reduce consumption while helping neighbors connect and work together.
Conduct a community walk audit
Walk through the neighborhood to identify dark areas, overgrown vegetation and maintenance concerns that may impact safety and quality of life.
Plant pollinator gardens near community centers
Native pollinator habitats can beautify public spaces while supporting bees, butterflies and other beneficial species.
Organize an electronics recycling drive
Collect unwanted electronics for proper recycling while offering information about online scams, identity theft and cyber safety.
Use reusable supplies at safety events
Choose reusable banners, signs, water bottles and tableware instead of single-use products.
Beautify neglected areas with native landscaping
Improving vacant or poorly maintained spaces can enhance neighborhood appearance while supporting native ecosystems.
Organize a community composting project
Composting reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and can provide nutrient-rich material for community gardens.
Hold an environmentally friendly community safety fair
Use digital registration, recycling stations, refillable water dispensers, and locally sourced materials to reduce waste.
Encourage residents to donate usable items
A neighborhood donation drive can help keep usable goods out of landfills while supporting local families and organizations.
Create wildlife-friendly green spaces
Restoring green spaces can support biodiversity, encourage community use of public areas and foster neighborhood pride.
Launch a "lights off, safety on" campaign
Encourage residents to conserve electricity indoors while maintaining appropriate outdoor lighting for visibility and awareness.
Host a repair-and-reuse day
Invite residents to repair bicycles, tools and household items instead of throwing them away. Repairing and reusing products can reduce waste and encourage neighbor-to-neighbor interaction.
Celebrate local safety champions with sustainable gifts
Recognize Neighborhood Watch volunteers, law enforcement officers and community leaders with native plants, reusable products or donations to local environmental causes instead of disposable gifts.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Celebrate National Crime Prevention Month with these 20 green ideas
