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Community Safety & Awareness
Neighborhood Watch Program
Citizens and their property should be safe and secure. However, citizens also have a responsibility to take an active role in preventing crime. Neighborhood Watch emphasizes that role in helping residents work together. It is a citizen involvement program designed to foster proactive strategies to reduce crime in neighborhoods. Many of the crimes that occur in Indian Head Park are crimes of opportunity. Our goal is to remove the opportunity for crimes.he purpose of the Indian Head Park Neighborhood Watch Program is to create a partnership between residents and members of the Police Department to effectively reduce crime and make Indian Head Park a better and safer place to live.
Meeting Information
Community Awareness meetings are held by the Indian Head Park Police Department in the Board Room of the Village Hall, 201 Acacia Drive. Please check back for information on the next Neighborhood Watch meeting.
Watch For Suspicious Activity
Residents should alert the Police of suspicious vehicles and persons in their neighborhood. Crimes can be solved or even prevented if residents call when they observe suspicious activity. Often times residents do not call because they believe they are bothering the police with a non-emergency. Remember that the police are here to protect residents, homes, and businesses. Following up on suspicious situations is important for protecting our community.
Protecting Your Home
Make your house uninviting to criminals by keeping doors locked, exterior lights illuminated and security systems activated. Do not leave car keys or valuables in your vehicle and be sure to lock your car doors.
More Information
Please contact the Police Department non-emergency telephone number at 708-246-4534 to speak with an officer if you are in need of suggestions to make your home more secure.
What Can I Do?
As a resident of Indian Head Park, it is important that you are aware of your surroundings. Simple actions that can be taken are:
- If something seems suspicious, call the police at 911
- Watch your neighbors' homes when they are away
- Be aware of vehicles and persons who do not belong.
- If you see something, say something. We have had situations where residents do not call police because they think they are bothering the police or are afraid it may be nothing. It is not a waste of anyone's time to check out anything that seems out of the ordinary or suspicious in nature. Do not hesitate to call the police.
Working together as a team will greatly reduce crime and make our community safer!
Safety Tips for Residents
The Police Department has put together tips and tricks to keep our residents safe. Always remember to report ANY form of suspicious activity, call the Police Department or 9-1-1.
Home Safety & Security Tips
- Lock all doors & windows within the home
- Sliding glass doors should be reinforced with a metal/wood dowel or locking pin
- Keep front & back entrances and openings to home well lit
- Alarm systems are recommended, and use them habitually
- Retrieve mail & newspapers on a daily basis
- Do not leave garage doors open
- Do not leave garage door openers, key fobs, or sets of keys in open vehicles or laying around.
- Consider replacing locks periodically, and use deadbolts.
- Use timers for lights in and outside your house.
- IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS - CALL 9-1-1.
How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft
- Obtain a copy of your current credit report once a year, and review for discrepancies.
- Never give out personal information such as social security numbers or date of birth via phone or internet.
- Cancel & destroy all unused credit / debit cards, and review statements of current debit & credit cards on a monthly basis for any suspicious activity.
- Memorize pin numbers, other important numbers, & passwords; never write them down.
- Shred all papers containing personal information before dis-carding
- Password protect computers, cell phones, flash drives, & hardware of any kind that contains sensitive information.
- Do not carry personal documents unless need be, such as passports, social security cards, & birth certificates
Pedestrian Safety Tips.....
- Pedestrians have the right of way, but do not put yourself in a dangerous situation.
- Avoid distractions such as mobile phones, mp3 players, etc.
- Avoid walking in dark, less traveled areas, the shortest route is not always the best.
- Always cross at the cross walks available.It's illegal to jaywalk!
- If possible always travel with others, use the buddy system.
- Always be alert & aware of your surroundings.
Telephone Safety Tips
- Never give your phone number, or address out to unknown individuals
- Always give the impression that you are not alone
- Use voice messaging systems when away from your home and or cellphone
- Never give any information to "wrong number" callers
Vehicle Safety Tips
- Activate alarm systems
- Always lock your car, and keep windows and sunroofs closed
- Do not keep ANY keys and or key fobs in vehicle
- Keep valuables out of sight, place in trunk, glove box, or remove altogether.
- Remove registration & insurance cards from vehicles
- Report vandalism and thefts immediately to the Police Department at 708-246-4534