马鞍山市2014高考英语阅读理解、动词短语精讲讲练(19)及答案
(·皖南八校第三次联考)The “Neighborhood Watch” scheme all started a few years ago in the quiet village of Mollington after a number of bur glaries in the village and the surrounding area. The villagers came up with the idea that they themselves could keep an eye on their neighbors' possessions while they were away on holiday. Since then, and with the support of the government and police, more than 50,000 “Neighborhood Watch” schemes have been set up all over the country.
The object of each “Watch” group is to reduce the opportunities that criminals have in any particular street or area. Each villager who is a member of the scheme will call the police whenever they see something suspicious. It is the police who actually check out ea ch report and look into what is happening. Villagers who are part of the “Watch” are not supposed to act as police or put themselves in danger.
When a new “Neighborhood Watch” scheme is set up in an area, one benefit is that most burglars dare not take a chance on breaking into someone's house because they know that there is a high risk of being seen by neighbors keeping a lookout. Burglars also know that people are more likely to have fitted good locks to their doors and windows.