Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, often called "CPTED," is a field of study that explores simple changes to homes, yards, streets, and other parts of the "built environment" to reduce the likelihood of crime.
Putting the theory into practice can be as simple as trimming back shrubs around the front of your house and installing motion lights. This lets you, and more importantly, your neighbors, keep an eye out on your home. The ability for neighbors to watch out for each other easily is called "natural surveillance."
Neighborhood entrances can also be reconfigured to create a sense that one is entering a defined area where the residents watch out for suspicious activity. We identify Broadmoor with signs at its main entrances to create this sense of community.
Take a look at this great paper to read more. Scroll down to the page on neighborhoods and the part about detached houses. It is full of common sense, practical advice.
Above all, get to know your neighbors and get out and walk around.
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