Safety is everyone’s responsibility Published Sept. 8, 2015 By Pascual Flores Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. -- When it comes to safety, most people perceive it as solely law enforcement's responsibility to provide a safe haven for its community. At the joint base, community members experience a safe environment thanks to the 87th Security Forces Squadron, but even these brave warriors sometimes need assistance. Reporting suspicious individuals and situations is also the responsibility of community members. "The fallacy a lot of people believe is, 'I don't want to report something that I think is too petty,'" said Master Sgt. John Young, 87th SFS superintendent. "No report is too much. A lot of people are scared to call the police because they don't want to bug the authorities with something small." Sometimes small crimes are part of a larger situation. When small things are added with information from crime databases, pieces can give a larger picture. "It is never wrong to go ahead and report an infraction it only takes Security Forces a few minutes to send a unit out there," said Young. "If you see something that looks suspicious, you need to tell us." Besides receiving suspicious activity reports, the 87th SFS also provides information on safeguarding one's community. "Know your neighbors; this helps build a sense of community awareness of people who belong in the area and who doesn't," said Young. "Secure your belongings, don't leave valuables on the lawn unattended. Place them in a secured backyard out of sight." Community members are afforded additional reporting tools in Operation Crime Stop, the Eagle Eye Program and some communities also have a Neighborhood Watch Program. "When people or burglars see the community involved, we become a harder target and burglars are not likely to want to be there," said Young. Don't advertise belongings, Young encourages individuals to keep windows closed when possible or put curtains to prevent burglars who are casing the area from knowing who has goods worth stealing. "You should take pictures of high value items," said Young. "This will help you claim them if they are ever stolen, not to mention showing proof with your insurance company." Young also advises not to advertise being in the military as current events show service members and their families are being targeted. The overall responsibilities of ones' well-being and property does not fall solely on the shoulders of Security Forces members, but also on its community members. "Safety is everyone's responsibility," said Young. "We rely on people to be aware of their surroundings, we are not there 24/7."