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January CAPS Meetings
19th Police District (Note- some times and locations have changed)-
1931- January 27, 6pm
Boys and Girls Club
2915 N. Leavitt
1932- January 27, 7pm
Boys and Girls Club
2915 N. Leavitt
[email protected]
19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064
Recap of Beat 1921's Meeting (Belmont/river/Irving/Damen)-
There were no robberies on this beat for the past two months. There was one burglary to a garage, where an e-bike and e-scooter were among the items stolen. The police said the main issue recently on this beat has been motor vehicle thefts (eight in the past two month period). At least one was recovered, and one resulted in an arrest. One of the cars that was taken was on but left unattended since it had been started by remote to warm it up. Please do not leave cars running unattended; not to warm them up, run in to pick up food, or pay at the gas station. This is one of the main ways they get stolen.
An issue brought up by residents was issues being caused by the late night bars on Western. There had been an assault at Underbar. Underbar is up for sale right now. Police have been asked to issue ANOVs and have the beat car check this area more frequently late at night. Please make sure to call 911 when you see or hear anything suspicious; other than the one assault, there have been few calls connected to the bars recently. We have an email list specifically for issues and updates on these late night bars; please let us know if you would like to be added to it.
Recap of Beat 1922's Meeting (Damen/Irving/Southport/Belmont)-
There was one robbery in the past 2 month period, where someone was punched and a gun was displayed on the 3400 block of Ashland. There were six burglaries, one to a bar, one to a construction site, one to a car, one to a currency exchange, one to a garage, and one to a residence. The one to a residence is believed to have been committed by someone who knew the victim.
One resident reported a possible attempted burglary on the 1700 block of Roscoe but there were no additional details. Deterrents were mentioned (cameras, motion sensor lights, beware of dog signs for the gate, etc). Please see below for more burglary prevention tips.
Burglary Prevention Tips
• Don’t leave windows open while you are away from your home. Consider installing window stops that allow windows to be open slightly for ventilation, but prevent them from opening far enough for someone to get in.
• If you have a burglar alarm system, make sure that it is activated whenever you are away from home.
• If you have a security camera, you can connect it to the city’s camera network. If you don’t have a security camera, you may still want to put a sign up saying that you do as a deterrent. Beware of dog signs also can work as a deterrent.
• Always report any suspicious activity or individuals in your neighborhood immediately by calling 911. Try to provide a detailed description of the individuals (clothing, height, weight, tattoos, scars, limp, acne, etc) and activity, including descriptions of vehicles that are being used and the direction they went.
• All doors that lead to the outside should be metal or solid-core, 1-3/4 inch hardwood. Most hollow doors can be easily broken through.
• Make sure all doors to the outside have good locks -- deadbolt locks with a minimum 1-1/2 inch bolt. Make sure locks are also installed on screen and storm doors, garage doors, cellar doors, patio doors, and any other door that leads to the outside (including second-floor patios or decks).
• Always use the locks you have, on both your home and your garage. Lock up every time you go out, even if it's only for a few minutes. Almost 50 percent of burglars enter homes or property through unlocked doors or windows. Locks on doors should be placed at least 40 inches away from windows, glass panels, and other potential openings such as mail slots. Make it hard for a burglar to reach in and unlock your door.
• Never hide keys outside, such as under a bush or in a flower pot. Burglars know where to find "secret" hiding places. It's much better to leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
• Don't place identification tags on your keys or key rings; if you lose them, you give potential burglars help.
• Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broom handle in the door track. Burglars look for sliding glass doors because they are the easiest to open.
• Make sure windows, especially those at ground level, have good locks-and always use the locks you have.
• Make sure all porches and other possible entrances are well lit, with at least 40-watt bulbs. A well-lit house is far better protected than a house without lights.
• Overgrown bushes, tree limbs, or landscaping can provide cover for burglars. Trim them to the height of porches or windows.
• Always lock up ladders and tools. Don't give a burglar the resources to break into your home.
• If you have recently purchased a television, stereo equipment, or other household item, do not throw the empty boxes in the alley garbage. This is a strong temptation for burglars.
• If you are out during the day or on vacation, use an automatic timer to turn on lights and a radio at different times of the day. It is an easy way to disguise the fact they you aren't home.
• Have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers every day while you are on vacation. Have a neighbor use your garbage cans occasionally. During the winter, arrange to have snow shoveled.
• Secure your back door and gate: Most home burglaries occur when no one is at home. Burglars often enter through the less-visible back door. You can discourage burglars by putting a lock on your back gate, ensuring that your back door has a deadbolt lock and making sure that your back fence, trees, or shrubs do not obscure the view of your home. Locks and visibility of entrances are your best defense against crime.
• Secure your garage: Garages are a great convenience, but they also offer the opportunity for theft and a place to hide. Make your garage safer by installing good lighting at the back and over any side entrances, and secure stored property with a strong lock. An automatic garage door opener makes coming home safer, and light- or motion-sensitive lighting devices ensure that when you leave or come home, you won't be in the dark.
• Light your alley and back yard: Deny criminals the cover of darkness by adding to your alley light. Make sure that all city-installed lights are working and report bulbs that are out or other problems immediately. You can enhance your security and shed light on suspicious activity by adding lights to your garage, back fence and yard, and passages between your building or garage and those of your neighbors. For maximum efficiency, consider using light- or motion-sensitive lighting.
• Place your address in the back of your property: If a crime is committed in the back of your property or if a criminal uses your property as an access to an alley, the police may not be able to identify the correct location unless your address is visible. The same is true in cases of fire or medical emergencies. The ability to find the right location quickly can make a difference. You should have your address permanently marked on the back of your property -- on the gate, the fence, or the garage. Don't rely on numbers on your garbage cans or other movable objects. While it makes it easy for you to find them, there is no guarantee they will always be in the right place.
• Keep your alley clean: Accumulated trash is not only a health and fire hazard, but can also send the signal to residents and criminals that no one cares about the neighborhood. Keep your trash in the provided containers.
• Keep a record of property serial numbers.
• If you are a victim, do not touch anything and contact the police immediately. If you have video surveillance, make sure to save and make a copy for the police.
• Make sure to put up “no trespassing” signs. This makes it easier for the police to arrest someone on your property who doesn’t have permission to be there.
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