Help Crime Stoppers Stomp Out Crime!

Crime Stoppers of Will County needs your help to stomp out crime. As a not-for-profit organization, Crime Stoppers works with local law enforcement, the media, and members of our community to fight crime. We offer cash rewards for anonymous tips that lead to arrests and convictions. By working with local law enforcement agencies, Crime Stoppers has helped arrest over 2 thousand criminals and recover over $9 million dollars in stolen property and drugs.

Here are a few ways that you can get involved, and help make our community a safer place to live!

• Join a Community Watch Group.
• Contact your local police department and find out what programs they have available for citizens. Click here for a list of Police Departments.
• Report any criminal activity to your local police department, or call in a tip to 1-800-323-6743
• Make sure you and your family practice good safety tips.

1. Be alert!

Keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings. Try not to put yourself into dangerous situations. Be extra cautious when you are walking alone. Do not talk on your cell phone while walking because it is a distraction. Instead, keep a cell phone handy if you need to call for help.

2. Vary your routines.

Predictability makes you a more likely target. Try to leave your house and office at different times. If you don’t have the exact same schedule every day, it will much more difficult for a criminal to track you.

3. Lock it!

Locks are your first line of defense at home, at the office, or in your car. Just because you feel that you live in a safe neighborhood does not mean outsiders don’t pass through your town. Be extra careful to lock your car doors when parked in the driveway if you have a garage door opener inside the car.

4. Make your home a tough target.

Use floodlights, motion sensors, a security system, deadbolts, etc. Installing these safety measures will deter many thieves from attempting to break in. Use yard stakes and window clings to show everyone that you have a security system active in your home. Avoid hiding a key outside your front door. Fake rocks are just as obvious to robbers as they are to you.

5. Avoid car theft.

Lock your doors. Keep the sunroof closed and roll up your windows when parked. Use an anti-theft device. Turn the wheels when you park. Never leave a spare key inside the car. Be sure to park in a well-lit place. Put packages in the trunk so you won’t tempt people that are walking by.

6. Foil car-jackers.

Keep windows and doors locked, check mirrors and blind spots when stopped. Stay one to one and a half lengths away from the car ahead of you. Sound your horn and flash your lights if you think you’re being approached by a car-jacker. Keep your cell phone nearby to phone the police.

7. Avoid identity theft.

Keep your Social Security card in a secure place and give out the number only when necessary. Guard your purse or wallet. Limit the number of checks and debit/credit cards you carry to only what you will actually need. Check credit card and bank statements carefully for unauthorized charges. Close credit card accounts you don’t use on a regular basis. Shred all documents containing personal information. Monitor your credit score regularly. Always be leery of any mail or emails telling you that you will receive money or a check. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

8. Be safe while using an ATM.

Avoid using ATMs on the corner of buildings because corners create a blind spot. Be aware of your surroundings and only use ATMs that are in well-lit locations. Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter your pin. Wait until you are in your car or another secure place to count your cash. Limit the amount of time you spend at the ATM; standing around could make you a target for theft.

9. Protect yourself in a parking garage.

Parking garages are the second most likely place for violent crimes to occur. Never park next to a van with no windows; you will not be able to see if someone is lurking inside. Try to park nearest to the entrance, or in open, well-lit areas. Approach your vehicle with your keys already in your hand. Do a quick scan of your vehicle’s interior including the back seat before unlocking the door. Keep your doors locked and your windows closed. Trust your instinct, if you do not feel comfortable ask a security officer to escort you to your vehicle. Report any suspicious activity immediately to security.
Prevent purse and wallet theft.

10. Be aware of your surroundings and who is nearby.

Don’t be afraid to cross the street or ask for help based on a “funny feeling”. You may be right! Minimize the opportunity for loss by carrying only small amounts of cash, leaving your expensive jewelry and valuables at home, and taking only the credit cards you know you’ll use that day with you. If you must carry a large amount of cash or valuable items, do not carry them in your handbag or wallet. Carry valuables in an inside pocket. Handbags should be closed and held tightly to your body. A bag dangling by your side is much easier for a thief to grab on the run. Be especially cautious in busy stores, shopping districts, at public events, on buses, and at bus stops. Thieves are attracted to crowds.

Above all, use common sense. Make sure that you share and practice these safety measures with your children, family, and friends.