Seniors On Safety
SPRING CRIME PREVENTION TIPS FROM THE SENIOR SPECIALIST
As the weather warms, we’ll be spending more time out of doors. It’s very important that we remember to keep our property secured while we’re gardening, barbequing or enjoying other outside activities. It may be tempting to keep doors unlocked as we go in and out of the back door or the garage, to leave windows open at night or when we leave the house to keep the fresh air coming in. However, all these things are magnets for the criminal element and may lead to casual burglaries.
Remember these basic crime prevention rules:
Keep doors locked at all times. If you are working in the yard, lock the doors behind you and keep keys with you. You can pin keys inside a pocket with a large safety pin or wear them on a lanyard around your neck. If you have a cell phone, keep that in your pocket or right beside you.
While it’s okay to leave ground or first floor windows open while you’re there also, be sure to close and lock windows and doors if you go upstairs, work in the basement or leave the house. Secure all window air conditioning units so that they can’t easily be removed from the window. Use window locks or pins so that windows can only be opened a few inches.
Don’t turn off outside lights when you go to bed: light is one of the best crime prevention techniques. Use motion lights, dusk to dawn sensors and fluorescent bulbs to keep entrances lit up. Use timers inside your home especially if you go out at night.
Keep garage overhead and service doors secure at all times. Many burglaries could be thwarted if doors were locked to prevent the theft of lawn mowers, power tools and burglaries to vehicles.
Keep gates leading to your yard or alley locked whenever possible to discourage casual theft or trespassing. DO NOT leave valuables in your car!
Remember, the Evanston Police Department offers free home and building Security Surveys. To schedule, call 847-866-5019 during business hours.
Spread the word about the following scam:
Recently, an Evanston resident reported to me that she received the following telephone call:
“I have to send you a new Medicare Card.” When the resident began to ask questions of the caller and requested a return telephone number, the caller threatened to cut off her Social Security. She told him he was a phony and hung up. Then she called to alert me.
The Evanston resident was smart, handled the situation very well and also wanted to warn her fellow citizens.
Others may not be so fortunate and might be frightened into giving out personal information, so I ask your help in alerting clients, neighbors, family and friends. If you hear that someone has been scammed by one of these calls, please urge the victim to file a police report. In order to guard against identity theft, it’s important to document these incidents.
**Please warn vulnerable adults about Ruse Entry crimes. The best protection is to keep doors locked at all times and not open the door to strangers, no matter what the excuse. For additional information, view crime alerts.
Emergency 911
Non-Emergency 847-866-5000
City of Evanston 847-328-2100
Please call Amanda Jones with any concerns or questions at 847-866-5010 Extension 4117 or email ajones@cityofevanston.org