Detroit’s crime rate keeps trending in the right direction, and the University District is helping lead the way. Thanks to the steady efforts of our neighbors, our police department, and our district association, that progress continues. Still, some residents have shared recent reports of vehicle thefts on our streets, including at homes with monitored security systems.
Good news first: Detroit’s overall crime rate continues its downward trend, and the University District remains one of the City’s safest neighborhoods.
Many of the recent thefts share one detail worth knowing about: small devices called WiFi jammers can briefly interfere with home WiFi signals and knock out cameras and smart doorbells.
Most home WiFi runs on one main channel, which makes it easier to block. The good news is that most routers also have a second channel built in. Turning it on gives your cameras a backup so they keep working even if the first channel is disrupted. Here is how to switch it on.
How to Turn On Both Frequency Bands
- Find your router’s address. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of your router. It usually shows something like 192.168.1.1.
- Open a web browser on a device connected to your WiFi and type that address into the URL bar.
- Log in using the username and password on the sticker, or your own if you have changed them.
- Find “Wireless” or “WiFi Settings” in the menu.
- Turn on both bands. Look for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz options and make sure both are enabled. Some routers call this “dual-band.”
- Give each band its own name, such as “Smith-Home-2.4” and “Smith-Home-5.” This lets you choose which one your devices use.
- Connect your security camera or doorbell to the 5 GHz network when possible. Check your device app to confirm.
- Save and restart the router if asked.
A Few More Friendly Tips
- Keep your router’s firmware up to date through the manufacturer app.
- Use a strong WiFi password and refresh it once a year.
- For your most important camera, a wired ethernet connection cannot be jammed.
- Ask your security provider whether cellular backup is an option.
The University District is strong because we look out for one another. A little awareness, a few small steps, and a lot of neighborly care will keep our community the safe and welcoming place that we love.