That’s more than 500 a day.

To encourage fewer of those calls originating in Broadmoor, the Broadmoor Neighborhood Association asked the city’s Police and Fire agencies to offer common-sense tips for residents on how to make your home safe.

The speakers at BNA’s February 20 meeting were David Karam, SPD corporal and Community Liaison Officer for Broadmoor; and Jeffrey Witte, SFD captain in the Fire Prevention Bureau and the department’s Public Information Officer.

Karam quoted the “Three L’s” to BNA members: Light it Up, Lock it Up, and Call the Law. He said Broadmoor was one of the safest neighborhoods in Shreveport, but taking easy steps could make your home safer.

In summary, he said he likes motion-activated lighting, sturdy front doors with dead-bolt locks, secondary locks on windows, no keys hidden outside, and bushes trimmed near windows.

Karam plugged Ring doorbells with cameras. He said the camera can be linked to the SPD Real Time Crime Center and resulting video used to capture crooks.

He suggested recording serial numbers off your home electronics and firearms, and asking a trusted neighbor to watch your home during your absences.

As CLO, Karam handles many quality-of-life issues for the City, including property standards, parking in yards and unkempt addresses. He said he subscribes to the “broken window” theory of policing, which holds that cities should address early signs of blight and visual decay to defeat crime.

SPD is 140 officers short of its designated troop strength, Karam said. The City is offering incentives for recruits, transfers, retention of officers and achievements in physical fitness.

City Councilman Jim Taliaferro, in attendance at the meeting, said he is urging the City Administration to find extra dollars for new police equipment.

Witte, with Fire Prevention, said homes in older neighborhoods like Broadmoor are susceptible to fire from such things as worn fuse boxes and overloaded electrical outlets.

“We see a lot of electrical fires in this part of town,” Witte said. He recommended a visit from a licensed electrician if you have concerns for your safety.

Other tips from Witte: ensure your street number is visible, keep tree limbs and leaves off your roof and obtain a permit for outside burning.

Inside the house, Witte said fire and smoke alarms should be maintained and – somewhat contrary to Police recommendations – bedroom windows should be accessible to firefighters in case an emergency rescue is required.

Witte said the leading cause of home fires is unattended cooking flames. He recommended a fire extinguisher that is routinely inspected.

Witte said SFD offers free assessments of home fire safety. Call 673-6740 or go to www.shreveportfire.org to fill out a form.

BNA President Bonita Crawford said the BNA March 19 meeting will feature a talk by Mayor Tom Arceneaux on the City’s upcoming bond-issue election. The meeting will start with refreshments at 6 p.m. at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church.

Crawford put out a call for volunteers to help with BNA’s upcoming 100th Birthday Party for Broadmoor. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at A.C. Steere Park.

Volunteers are also needed for the BNA Board of Directors. Contact Crawford at 318-423-5010 or bonniec222@aol.com.

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PHOTO BELOW: BNA President Bonita Crawford with David Karam of Shreveport Police (left) and Jeffrey Witte of Shreveport Fire.