DEARBORN — In a presentation on personal and home safety given by Dearborn Police at the Esper Branch Library on Wednesday, officials implored a group of about 40 people to keep their heads up, their doors locked and the city’s new neighborhood watch telephone number on hand.

“The city of Dearborn is a safe city… but we have to do more,” said Cpl. Jerry Blevins.

Blevins, Cpl. Dan Bartok, and Mayor Jack O’Reilly offered tips and guidelines on avoiding danger, and encouraged residents to call either the police department’s main non-emergency line or the new neighborhood watch community telephone line, 313.943.3030, to report any suspicious or simply unusual behavior they see.

“Good police work is something that is done by the whole community, not just by police officers,” said O’Reilly.

The meeting was attended primarily by residents of the city’s historic Aviation Subdivision, which borders Detroit.

“Areas along our border are more vulnerable,” O’Reilly said, because there is a perception of a better opportunity to escape from those neighborhoods after committing a crime.

“People feel that if they can get out of the city and into another, the opportunity is there.”

Blevins and Bartek said they are trying to set up similar meetings in neighborhoods throughout the city, to give safety presentations and encourage community policing and participation in neighborhood watch.

“It takes everyone working together to reduce crime and to prevent crimes from happening,” said Bartek.

The two corporals listed dozens of common sense precautions to take and encouraged residents to call and report even minor observations of unusual activity.

“If it turns out to be nothing, we’re not going to come to your house and say ‘Shame on you,'” said Blevins.

Blevins presented tips encouraging people to trust their instincts, stay alert, keep doors locked, to not leave cars running in driveways and parking lots, to walk in well-lit areas, and to walk against traffic appearing confident and purposeful.

“Don’t walk like you want to become a victim. Walk like ‘I have every right to be here,'” he said.

“We are the only species in this world that don’t trust their instincts… Sometimes we just don’t use that common sense. We’re so engrossed in our daily lives.”

More tips:

– Avoid walking alone

– Avoid flashy jewelry or clothing

– Walk in well-lit areas

– Carry only what you need

– Carry valuables close to your body

– Carry a wallet in a front or inside pocket

– Avoid carrying a purse over your neck

– Carry a purse underneath a coat when

  possible

– No 25-pound purses

– Walk facing traffic and appear confident

– Use deadbolt locks in homes

–  Keep at least one light on when not  home

–  Landscaping should be well maintained

   (to minimize hiding places)

– Plant thorny bushes in front of windows

– Report an incident immediately

– Report suspicious activity by calling:

– Neighborhood watch line: 313.943.3030

– Police non-emergency number:

                                              313.943.2241

-In an emergency, call 911