DEAR HARRIETTE: The city put up scaffolding in front of my building several months ago. No work is going on now, but what has happened is that homeless people are gathering under there. I've seen drug deals go down and bags snatched. I don't live in a so-called bad neighborhood. It's a combination of the scaffolding, which is offering cover, and the rising unemployment rates -- or at least that's what I think. Whatever the reasons, I'm nervous about leaving my building. What can I do to protect myself? -- Unsafe
DEAR UNSAFE: Speak to your building management about ramping up security around your building. Call a meeting of your tenants association to gather forces to complain formally to the building and to create a plan of action. Sign a petition with a list of grievances and present them to the landlord.
Document everything you see and share images and stories with building management and with the local police. Build a relationship with your local police precinct so that they become more aware of what's happening in your building and neighborhood -- and so that they care. Send photos of illicit activity to 311.
Consider instituting neighborhood watch tactics with the other residents. If you need more eyes to ensure that tenants are safe, do it for yourselves until you can get the building to do it for you. Arrange shifts when people stand guard, preferably in pairs, to help ensure safe passage as residents go in and out. Be vigilant.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)