Neighborhood Watch
Tips
Tips
for Home Safety
Last edited: 11
September 2022
New items in red
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Wonder why you get ridiculous solicitations from obvious scam artists? They want to save time and immediately weed out people who are smart enough to suspect a scam!!
Approached by a person in "distress" asking for money? Click here!
Check out: https://www.internetadvisor.com/internet-safety-guide
Branch Collection Week (Village of Bloomingdale, IL, typically starts 3d Monday in April, July, Oct)
1. Reach up and see if you can touch those
branches over your sidewalk. If you can, be considerate and trim them, as
they’re liable to “take a biker’s head off.”
2. Look out your windows and see if you can see your neighbors’ front doors. If
your vegetation blocks your views, trim it. Also good to check if your
close-to-building vegetation is aiding destructive algae growth.
3. Walk around on the sidewalk to each of your neighbors and look at your house.
Check to see if they can see your front door and viewable windows. If your
vegetation is blocking your/their views, trim it. Neighborhood Watch doesn’t
work very well if you can’t watch out for your neighbors.
4. As we move into fewer and fewer sunlight hours, check to see that your
outside (hopefully front and back dawn-to-dusk) lights are working. “Seeing
brings safety.”
REF: https://www.bahrnoproducts.com/NeighborhoodWatchTips.htm
See something, say something! Call 9-1-1 if you see something suspicious. Stay
safe!
Click here to check out "Burglars Reveal What Makes Certain People Easy Targets"
Trick:
Cardboard in door.
The police have discovered this trick which burglars like to use. By placing a
piece of cardboard between the door and the doorjamb, a burglar tries to find
out whether or not the inhabitants are gone for a longer period of time. If the
burglar comes back after a few days and finds the cardboard in exactly the same
place, he’ll know that he can likely go in without much trouble. If the
cardboard is gone, he knows that someone has been home. That means there’s more
risk involved with going in. This is a variation on the trick of placing a coin
or a small branch up straight against the door. If it’s still there after a
while, chances are no one has been home since the last time the burglar was
there.
So, keep an eye out for pieces of paper or other suspicious things near your
door! Or items placed on your driveway that the owner of an occupied house
would likely quickly remove.
======================================
Should you come upon an item in your neighborhood that you suspect was used in a crime, don't touch it!3 November 2017 Facebook posting from the Bloomingdale Police Department:
In our continuing effort to keep the
citizens of Bloomingdale Safe and Secure, we offer the following information on
Ruse - Distraction type Crimes.
If you think you have been a victim of this type of crime, or see suspicious
activity in the village, please call (630) 529-9868.
Distraction burglary or diversion burglary is a crime in which elderly persons
are often the targets. The perpetrator seeks to draw a resident out of the house
on a pretext. While the resident is occupied, an accomplice enters the home and
picks up valuables such as money and jewelry. Thieves may also pick up papers
with the intent of committing identity theft. In a variation, the accomplice
enters the dwelling by a second door while the resident is occupied at the other
door.
Types of Impostors
Thieves who specialize in distraction burglary typically assume a false
identity, which is why this crime is also known as impostor burglary. These
false identities fall into three categories.
In the first type, the thieves come in the guise of officials such as utility
workers, postal workers, door-to-door salesmen, delivery men or surveyors. They
may even pretend to be police officers or firefighters. Often they pretend that
they need to show the resident some problem on the property and thus lure them
outside and away from the door. They often win the resident's confidence through
wearing a uniform and displaying official-looking badges or ID. In a recent
variation, criminals tell the residents that they have won a gift card or other
prize.
The second category of impostor includes thieves pretending to be contractors or
laborers. They may try to convince householders that they need trees trimmed,
gutters and drains cleaned, fences mended or roofs repaired.
Similarly to those in the first category, they try to get the landowner outside
to look at the problem. This type of impostor often relies upon a glib tongue
and persuasive abilities to win over the homeowner. In one common tactic, the
impostor will offer to do the work for a rock-bottom price. The price is
immaterial since the work isn't actually going to be done.
Thieves belonging to the third category come as ordinary citizens, but pretend
to have a problem. Perhaps they are seeking an address or looking for a lost
pet. Sometimes they pretend to be ill or in need of a bathroom. Women and
children are often employed in this type of distraction burglary, as people may
be more likely to let down their guard if approached by a woman, a woman with
children or a youngster alone.
To prevent distraction burglary, be suspicious of anyone who comes to your door
under any of these guises. In the case of someone claiming to be on official
business, it's a good idea to ask for identification, but that can be faked.
It's a better idea to call the agency and confirm that there are legitimate
workers in the area.
Other Preventive Measures
In addition to being suspicious of callers, follow these other practices:
Do not leave your purse or wallet out in the open. Many women have the habit of
putting down their purses as soon as they come in the door, making them easy for
a thief to spot.
Keep jewelry and small valuables in a safe. Use jewelry boxes only for costume
jewelry.
Keep all doors locked. If you believe a caller has a legitimate reason to get
you out of the house, pick up your key and lock the house behind you.
Why Older People May Be Targeted
Elderly individuals may be targeted for the following reasons:
They are more likely to live alone.
They may be more likely to keep cash at home.
They may need help in maintaining their property and may thus be especially
vulnerable to those asking to do maintenance work.
They may suffer from impaired cognition or judgment.
They may make poor eye witnesses due to issues with sight and cognition.
They are often conscientious individuals who want to be cooperative.
If they have impaired mobility that keeps them from getting to the door, they
may leave the door unlocked, especially if they are expecting caregivers to
arrive.
They may not notice missing items in a timely manner.
Women are victimized around twice as often as men. This may be because the
elderly are targeted, and women tend to outlive men, or it may be a result of
the thieves targeting women.
In addition, statistics show that households are more likely to be targeted if
the residence is poorly maintained and if the entryway is not readily visible
from the street.
Learn about other fraudulent schemes that target seniors and why seniors may be
vulnerable to scams.
Spread the Word
Do your part to foil distraction or impostor burglars by passing on this
information to individuals who may be targeted. If you are involved in the care
of an elderly family member or neighbor, be sure they know the proper steps to
take if they are approached. If a suspicious incident occurs, report it
immediately to prevent others in your area from being victimized. Social media
can be a useful way of getting the word out.
It is especially important that victims do not let their embarrassment about
falling for a scam keep them from reporting the crimes.
Some distraction burglars are highly organized and either locate likely victims
through surveillance or rely on tipsters for this information. Some are
opportunistic and strike whenever they spot a likely victim or location.
How and Why You Should Record the Police
Bloomingdale Police Department Tips - Click Here - PDF
Hot Tips
Remember the movie "Home Alone."
Try to avoid showing potential burglars any predictability in your behavior and
lighting!
Be alert when
purchasing very expensive small items such as jewelry at stores.
Thieves can follow you home, assess when you'll likely be away, then
smash and grab*.
Don't put your valuables in your master bedroom. That's the first place burglars look!
Carry two wallets, one with maybe just $5 as a decoy. If accosted, think about throwing down the decoy and running.
________
Kwikset's "10
Things You Must Know About Home Security"
Tips from a locksmith: Dog
dish, no barking? Put radio on a timer. Lubricate locks with WD40 to
clean them, then use Ace Hardware's "TriFlow" -- makes them harder to "bump"; do
this once a year. Check length of lock screws; if short, replace with
longer screws. As some burglars use suction cups to lift patio doors, put
in something to keep dowel rods down.
_________
Tips from an ex-cop for his elderly aunt, 14 January 2015
After interviewing a few burglars when I was working on a burglary team: I was told by one burglar the following:
Burglars DO NOT like:
1. Dogs
2. Having to deal with "Big Guys."
So a quick inexpensive way worrying about your house being burglarized is to .....
Buy a "Beware of Dog Sign". Slide it in your front window/door. Who cares if you don't have a dog. Plus, it can be a test for your nosey neighbor. I went to a thrift store and bought a pair of boots & gym shoes, size 15. Both shoes were $5.00 each. I did this for my 75-yr old aunt who lives alone, and she feels very comfortable having the sign up and the shoes that she rotates from her front door to side door. Also, I bought a cheap dog bowl, and my aunt puts bird seed in there.... No burglar has the time to make sure the bowl has dog food. A lot cheaper than all those expensive home security devices.
Identity Theft (Downloadable PDF) -- Bloomingdale Police Department, Jan/Feb 2015
(BPD
Neighborhood Watch Newsletter July 2012)
SAFETY REMINDERS:
Keep
doors and windows closed and
locked at all times, including
doors that connect from the garage to the home. Utilize outside light and
motion light detectors around your home.
Utilize timers to turn lights, radio(s) or television(s) on and off at
appropriate times in different areas of your home.
Residential alarm system: verify it is operational and use it
anytime you leave
your home.
Landscaping: Maintain lawn, bushes & trees, as well as, removal of snow.
Leaving newspapers, mail and / or garbage containers out for extended periods
will draw unwanted attention.
Properly lock your unattended vehicles at all times, including in your driveway.
Remove all personal / valuable items from unattended vehicles, including GPS
devices and garage door openers.
Do not publicize vacation plans, especially on social networking sites.
Report all
suspicious person(s) and vehicles in your neighborhood.
(BCRA News, April 2011)
Unfortunately there have been some recent home break-
community. Please follow these tips to help avoid it happening to you.
1. Keep outside lights on at night.—A well lit home keeps the rats away.
2. Close all window coverings.—Keep prying eyes from seeing inside.
3.
Install a random timer to vary times a light or radio is on while you are
gone from your home.—If the time varies, it looks like someone is
home. You can run it during the day also.
4. Have
a neighbor watch your home and stop all mail and newspaper
deliveries. – A pile of papers means you’re not at home and check for
things stuck on doors or door handles.
5. Place a stick in the sliding glass door channel to make it more difficult
to slide open the door.—The more difficult it is to get inside, the more
likely they’ll go someplace else.
6. If you see something out of the ordinary or strangers milling around,
call 911.
7. LOCK YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS!
SECURITY & SAFETY REMINDERS
(courtesy BCIII)
If you
notice suspicious activity or feel uncomfortable
in any way, please don't hesitate to
contact the Bloomingdale Police Department to
ensure your safety and security as well as that
of our community.
• Keep
doors and windows closed and locked
at all times, including doors that connect
from the garage to the home.
•
Utilize outside light and motion light detectors
around your home.
•
Utilize timers to turn lights, radio or television
on and off at appropriate times in different
areas of your home. You may want to
program your TV or radio to talk show channels
that sound like real conversations.
•
Properly lock your unattended vehicles at all
times, including in your driveway.
•
Remove all personal / valuable items for un-
attended vehicles, including GPS devices.
•
Report any suspicious person(s) and vehicles
in your neighborhood.
AYN-
(courtesy Shawn Rodgers, BCIII Member & BCRA President)
We need to get serious about
security this month. In recent weeks we have
had a rash of burglaries and car
break-
Light It
-
Lock It
-
For homes with the garage separate from the home (Tyler Units) consider adding a Garage boor Monitor ($35) so you can tell if your door is open or closed from within your home. They are very easy to install.
Lower The Temptation—If you leave you home make sure to not leave your drapes or blinds open. Someone could look into your windows and see what you have. If you leave them open you are just making it easy for the burglar to decide if he wants to rob your home or not. If you leave them closed he doesn't know what you have and will look elsewhere.
Also if you have large shrubs
or bushes in front of windows consider
removing them or trimming them back. You do
not want to "make" a hiding place for someone
to work on breaking in or to hide a broken
window.
Record and Document
-
Going on Vacation?
Let a neighbor know you will be gone and to
look out for your place. Bloomingdale Police Dept.
also has a vacation Watch program. Call 630-
Watch your Children
— If you children are outside
teach them about safety. There are many classes that
your children can attend on general safety
issues. Also instruct your children about bike
safety it has been brought to my attention
there are several children that don't follow
the usual look before you turn rules and
unfortunately there are a few speeders in our
neighborhood also.
Alarm It -
Look Out—If
you see something suspicious, like a stranger
walking around oddly or a parked car with
someone in it for a long period of time or a nondescript
van taking out furniture or belongings. Call the
Police if you feel something is wrong. Remember
utility companies almost NEVER visit a house
to do any kind of inspection. Don't let anyone
in your house unless you have called or are
expecting them.
Neighborhood Watch Tips
(courtesy Bill Bahr: to be further edited, condensed, and supplemented; last edit 4/5/2011)
At the last Neighborhood Watch meeting, we heard from Deputy Chief of Police
Randy Sater that criminal activity has been dramatically up since the first of
the year, most likely due to the poor state of the economy. He also said that
most of the burglaries were residential “smash and grabs” with the thieves often cutting the
telephone lines (for dial-
Further tips (I’ll try to put together a collection of the many I passed out
before):
Neighborhoods are like a chain. If there’s an obvious weak link (a house unlit, side gate open, overgrown vegetation allowing a thief to hide while he breaks into a house, unshoveled show, newspapers gathering on the driveway, etc, etc), a thief will be attracted. To save time, he’ll also start looking nearby for other unprotected houses (yours?). Please don’t think anyone is going to go around writing up suggestions and handing them over to your neglectful neighbor to protect their home. Maybe your volunteer Neighborhood Watch block captain will do this, maybe not, maybe you can ask him/her. But to best promptly protect yourself, be a good neighbor and TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR. It’s a lot cheaper than the financial, physical, and psychological loss associated with someone burglarizing their or YOUR home!
Note: One theory about the burglar activity is that, after observing a house
over a long period of time, one or two persons of a burglary team goes into a
house to “smash and grab”
(looking for cash, jewelry, and other small items of
value in the master bedroom, etc; then leaving within 5-
Again, I can’t stress this enough, you can help yourself by helping your
neighbors help themselves. If you notice they don’t have enough lighting or
other efforts to prevent burglars, let them know. If their house is attacked
successfully, the thieves will likely be back at some time for another nearby
target. Maybe your house will be chosen the next time.
=========================================
THIRTEEN THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security
company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor,
which often access the master bedroom -
8. It's raining, you're
fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door -
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system….
8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear It again.. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the Jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted
burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security
consultant Chris McGoey
and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of
Missouri-
Protection for you and your home:
If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.)
WASP SPRAY
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.
The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk
In the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection.
Thought this was interesting and might be of use.
FROM ANOTHER SOURCE
On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.
Val Glinka teaches
self-
Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."
Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.
"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."
Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around.
After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.
This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.
P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic.
Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.
Stay safe! See something
suspicious, call 9-
Possible lesson: If you see that your neighbor’s exterior lights, normally kept on at night, are dark, you may want to check things out. I know that some folks manually turn on their outside nights at light, so maybe they forgot, but a lot (maybe most) have converted their systems to automatic.
Here’s a somewhat related tip: Even with a decent burglary alarm system, it may be ten minutes after activation before the police arrive at your door at the earliest, due to the nature of the alarm system procedures. The modus of the criminals is to “smash and grab,” going straight to the master bedroom to steal jewelry boxes, cash, etc, and be out the door in five minutes. If you’re at home when this happens, you maybe naturally concerned about your personal safety. If you have an extra keyfob to your car, you may want to keep it next to your bed to activate your car alarm system to alert neighbors if there’s an emergency.
Also, remember to take out any valuables from
the cars you might park in your driveway. Especially make sure you remove any
garage door openers. Thieves can gain entry to your car, then use the garage
door opener to quickly enter your house. It’s happened here in Bloomingdale.
If your neighbor’s away and not
made other arrangements, please be a good Samaritan and pick up flyers,
newspapers, and other items left around doors or driveways and starting to
accumulate. Makes for a big tip-
See anything suspicious, please report it immediately to 9-
Also, FYI, next week (likely Friday), there’ll be another tree-
Also, if you go away for a
couple days, please let your neighbors’ know or at least make sure no newspapers
are lying on your driveway or packages left at your doorstep. They’re sure
give-
As regards preventing
burglaries, I again encourage you to do all you can to make sure your home looks
occupied, especially when you're on vacations. Use timing and motion-
Also keep your trees and shrubs from blocking views of your windows and doors. Try to see if your neighbor can see your windows and door from his window and door and you can see his. If not, clear away the vegetation. And, while you're at it and regardless of view, don't forget those branches hanging low over the sidewalks able to take the heads off individuals skateboarding or just strolling. One should be able to raise one's hand and not touch any leaves. So keep your insurance rates down and plan ahead.
Lock all your doors and stay safe!
Remember, a lot of these
burglaries are "smash and grabs": burglars entering homes, going mainly to the
master and other bedrooms and grabbing jewelry, coins, and cash, all within 10
minutes or less. Seems to happen just after dark. Others burglaries in area
have involved daylight efforts of 1-
If I were to guess, I'd say that the houses were cased well in advanced looking
for signs of inactivity. All houses were vacant at the time; at only one did
the owners come home while the burglary was in progress. To help prevent
burglaries, you might want to get motion-
Also, FYI, if you haven't
already, you can subscribe to the informative Village of Bloomingdale
Residential E-
Unfortunately, I have to report to you an incident that occurred at my own house around 10 pm this evening. We heard a noise from outside that was either very close to our house or hitting our house. Hearing some more noise and seeing our motion detecting light on the side of our house go on, we went out to investigate. We found a cellphone by our patio (likely dropped by the intruder when he was surprised by the security light). We then called the police. It was interesting that then the phone rang several times, likely from the intruder's friends/accomplices, as they were trying to locate the phone in the dark. Then the police came. They thought this could be a gang of juvenile delinquents, possibly those that have been vandalizing our gazebo and painting graffiti on street signs and obscenities on utility boxes. About 30 minutes after the police left, a group of juveniles rang our doorbell and one of them apologized for making the noise (he said his friend not present hit our back door) and wanted to know if we had found his cellphone because someone was now calling his friends from it. We told him that the police had it and told them why we had phoned the police. The cellphone user would only say he was from Bloomingdale, another of them said he was from the Bloomfield Club townhomes, and all of them said they didn't know anything about vandalism. After they left, we called the police about this, and they said they had already spoken with the cellphone owner's parents and that they would all have a meeting tomorrow morning to discuss things.
Please keep an extra sharp eye
out for intruders in the coming weeks. If you see anything, please remember
that all you need to do is to call 911and report suspicious activity. If for
some reason you want to remain anonymous, you can call the Anonymous Crime Tip
Line 630 529-
Thanks and get yourself a motion detecting security light if you don't have one!!
Note: many of the burglaries
these days appear to be "smash and grabs," home invasion burglaries that last
only a few minutes, with the criminal(s) heading to the likely places to grab
easy to carry, high-
If you have an alarm system,
you may want to turn it on overnight or even during the day while you are home,
if addition to when you're away. If you do have outside cameras, remember that
if you don't have any outside night lighting, there's not much they'll capture.
At least put in a dawn-
For the latest Neighborhood Watch Newsletter, you can go to www.bloomfieldclub.org and click on the Neighborhood Watch link.
As a matter both of neighborliness and safety, please ensure that not only
your's but your neighbor's newspapers and advertisements left on doorhandles are
picked up by midday. Trashcans should also be removed from roadside by the end
of the day. Thieves are on the look-
Please report any suspicious activity to the police. After 6 PM all police calls go to the dispatcher so just dial 911.
If you have an incident on your property please record the name of the police officer and ask for a report number. Report numbers are important because when reports are written they are discussed during daily police meetings and enable the police to see trends.
If you do NOT ask for a report number there may NOT be any police record of the incident.
Just a reminder that Bloomingdale's Branch Collection week occurs several times each year. If you have any tree branches you'd like to dispose of, especially those that obstruct the view to your home and your view of your neighbors homes, please take these opportunities.
And again, please do your best to keep your outside lights on at night. The
cooler temperatures now make it easier to install outside lighting, especially
in those areas of your property that would allow thieves to hide at night while
gaining entry to your home. Please consider installing motion-
The last Bloomingdale
Neighborhood Watch meeting was very informative. With regards to reported
break-
Two websites you might want to check out are:
www.kwikset.com/HomeSafety/TenThings/default.aspx
This last one needs a bit of updating but still will give you all sorts of good
advice as well as familiarize you a little more regarding Neighborhood Watch.
Finally, please look after your neighbors' property; hopefully they'll look after yours.
Just wanted to alert you to the
fact that there was an attempted break-
Please do all you can during these summer months to look out for your neighbors
and watch out for your neighborhood. Call 911 should you see something
suspicious. If you haven't already arranged with a neighbor to look after their
house during the summer vacation period (or anytime that matter), and you see
newspapers, packages, or notices left for days piling up around their house,
please be a good neighbor and pick them up. Piling more than a few of them by
their door may also be suspicious, so you may want to keep them for your
neighbor and give them back upon return.
Also, please use this week to
take advantage of the Village's free tree limb pick-
Hope you're doing well. As we
head into a holiday weekend, I just wanted to urge you all to make sure, if
you're leaving for any extended period, to let a friendly neighbor know about
your absence and to make sure that any deliveries (mail, newspapers, packages,
notices/door-
I would also recommend you take advantage of the upcoming village branch
collection service mentioned in the Village Almanac. Take a walk around your
house from in front of your neighbors' houses. If you can't see your doors or
first-
The police have also asked me to pass along that, with the rise of crime in
Bloomingdale (and the country at large), you are asked to make sure cars parked
on your driveway are locked and to also immediately report to 9-
1. Keep your outside lights, both front and back, on at night. Not everyone is doing this. Please do this as a courtesy to your neighbors and as part of our Neighborhood Watch team.
2. Trim your bushes and trees. Vandals take advantage of lack of visibility.
They know that if someone sees them they are likely to get caught. Hence they
go out at night (as did our vandal last night) or prowl in areas of high
vegetation where folks can't see them. Take a trip outside around your house.
Stand in front of your neighbors' houses and look at yours. If your neighbors
can't see the entrances to your house, due to overhanging trees or uncut bushes,
they can't see a burglar or vandal trying to enter. In other words, they can't
help you. So help them help you, and trim your bushes and trees. Please
remember that one house attractive to criminals puts more at risk.
Smash and Grab Reprise
He also said that most of the burglaries were
“smash and grabs” with the thieves often cutting the telephone lines (for dial-
Note: One theory about the
burglar activity is that, after observing a house over a long period of time,
one or two persons of a burglary team goes into a house to “smash and grab”
(looking for cash, jewelry, and other small items of value in the master
bedroom, etc; then leaving within 5-
Here’s a somewhat related tip: Even with a decent burglary alarm system, it may be ten minutes after activation before the police arrive at your door at the earliest, due to the nature of the alarm system procedures. The modus of the criminals is to “smash and grab,” going straight to the master bedroom to steal jewelry boxes, cash, etc, and be out the door in five minutes. If you’re at home when this happens, you maybe naturally concerned about your personal safety. If you have an extra keyfob to your car, you may want to keep it next to your bed to activate your car alarm system to alert neighbors if there’s an emergency.
Remember, a lot of these
burglaries are smash and grabs: burglars entering homes, going mainly to the
master and other bedrooms and grabbing jewelry, coins, and cash, all within 10
minutes or less. Seems to happen just after dark. Others burglaries in area
have involved daylight efforts of 1-
Note: many of the burglaries
these days appear to be "smash and grabs," home invasion burglaries that last
only a few minutes, with the criminal(s) heading to the likely places to grab
easy to carry, high-
However, realize that a common
criminal tactic these days is "smash and grab." They knock on the front door;
not hearing anyone, they go to the back of the house and enter. Knowing they'll
likely trip an alarm, they figure they'll have 60 seconds to grab high-
Ruse Burglaries:
Essentially a ruse burglary
happens when someone, usually posing as a contractor, comes to your front door
and tells you he’ll be happy to provide a “much-
Social Networking Photos:
If security is a concern,
beware of posting pictures taken on your mobile phone to social networking
sites. Likely has location embedded. Take a few minutes to look over this
slide show prepared by the US Army. Most people probably do not realize how much
information they share when they post pictures on Social Networking sites.
www.slideshare.net/USArmySocialMedia/social-
Holiday Tips from the Bloomingdale Police
Department:
Lock doors and windows
Keep bushes and trees trimmed
Use interior and exterior lighting in and around home
If you have a residential alarm system, verify it is operational and use it
when necessary
Don't leave newspapers/mail/garbage cans out for days
Verify the overhead garage door is closed and the side door locked.
Do not post your travel plans on a social network
Report suspicious vehicles or persons in your area -
Simple Tips to Prevent a Burglary at Your Home from the Bloomingdale Police Department (1/30/13)
1. Make the Home Look Occupied
Burglars tend to avoid homes that they believe are occupied. Outdoor motion
lights and putting your inside lights on timers are excellent deterrents.
Don't leave your garbage cans at the curb for extended periods of time. Cancel or put a hold on your mail and newspaper deliveries when you leave town. Have someone you trust check on the house regularly.
2. Close and Lock Doors and Windows
Lock up even when you leave for a short time. Make sure you close your garage door when you leave, too.
3. Upgrade Flimsy Door and Window Locks
Burglars are able to breach
flimsy, worn-
4. Invest in an Alarm System
Another great way to deter burglars is to install a security alarm. These systems include door, window and motion sensors that sound an alarm when triggered and notify the police that a breach has been made. Posting signage about the presence of a security alarm may deter burglars.
5. Block the View into the Home without Providing an Easy Escape Route
One way to prevent burglaries is to make sure the burglars cannot window shop
before breaking in. Use curtains on windows, including garage and basement
windows, so burglars cannot case the house and plan their entries.
However, do not use landscaping to block the view of potential burglars, since heavy shrubbery or hedges can be great cover for a thief making his or her escape from a home. Instead, keep dense landscaping away from the house.
6. Avoid Stashing Valuables in the Master Bedroom
Most families keep their most prized possessions in the master bedroom, including jewelry and cash. Burglars know this and often make the master bedroom their first stop after breaking into a home. One easy way to avoid theft is to keep one’s valuables in a safe in an inconspicuous part of the home or outside the home in a safe deposit box.
7. Hire a Professional to Upgrade doors and Install Locks
One of the best ways to prevent a break-
==============================
Links to more Neighborhood Watch Tips:
www.adt.com/for_your_home/products_services/?wgc=top_10_home_security_tips
www.adt.com/for_your_home/products_services/?wgc=12_mistakes
www.adt.com/for_your_home/products_services/?wgc=home_invasion_tips
www.adt.com/for_your_home/products_services/?wgc=traveling_tips
www.adt.com/for_your_home/products_services/?wgc=home_safety_tips
www.adt.com/for_your_home/learning_center/safety_tips?wgc=neighborhood_watch
www.coj.net/Departments/Sheriffs+Office/Community+Affairs/Watch+Programs/Neighborhood+Watch+Program.htm
www.ehow.com/way_5409467_neighborhood-
www.gbtribune.com/section/1/article/11511/
http://www.nnw.org/usaonwatch
http://organizing.tips.net/T008600_Organizing_a_Neighborhood_Watch.html
www.ncpc.org/topics/home-
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-
http://cherrywood.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=1
http://news.consumerreports.org/home/2011/09/burglaries-
http://myhoa.com/newsletter_articles/neighborhood%20watch%20tips.pdf
https://www.alertid.com/search/home-
Helpful websites:
www.scambusters.org
www.fraud.org
www.fbi.gov/scams-
http://peprimer.com/nhoodwatch.html
ID Theft:
www.slideshare.net/lawrencemedical/id-
www.slideshare.net/lawrencemedical/social-
Crimestoppers:
www.illinoiscrimestoppers.org
www.idthisperson.com
: Website for “fun and profit.” Find out who’s “hot” in your neck of the
woods (just put in your zip code); maybe earn a reward!
Family Emergencies:
Security System Review:
www.reviews.com/home-
Travel, Vacation, and Safety Tips:
www.bahrnoproducts.com/TravelVacationSafetyTips.htm
How to Avoid Home Repair Fraud:
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/tips.html
Checklists:
Home Security Assessment Checklist:
https://www.cor.net/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=298
Home Security Checklist (Martha Stewart):
http://www.marthastewart.com/266995/home-security-checklist
Home Security Inspection Checklist:
http://www.lockdoctorls.com/id59.html
Home Security Checklist:
http://www.croftontownhall.com/home.htm
Crime Prevention Merit Badge Sample Home Security Checklist:
www.usscouts.org/mb/docs/Crime-Prevention-Home-Checklist.pdf
Note:
Commercial Smash and Grabs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smash_and_grab
More to come. Check back soon.
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