By Bruce Dayno, Chief of Police
Burglars are often active in the northern suburbs, including in Riverwoods. Here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim:
Burglar Alarms
The National Crime Prevention Institute recommends installing alarms and some insurance companies offer discounts for doing so. Although alarms are an effective deterrent, they do have a high rate of false alerts. Many false alarms can be avoided by keeping equipment in good working order. Having a good knowledge of how your equipment works can help prevent setting off your alarm accidentally. Remember to register your alarm annually to keep your contact and keyholder information up to date with the Police Department.
Security Cameras
Home security cameras are a great option to add another layer of home protection. Seeing cameras may deter some burglars and can alert you if when persons approach your home.
Target Hardening
Target Hardening makes getting into houses more difficult for burglars. It includes installing sturdy doors with deadbolts; window locks, rather than latches; double-pane, storm or divided light windows, or laminated glass that is forced-entry resistant; pin locks on windows and sliding glass doors; and sliding glass door channel locks or slide bolts.
Give The Appearance You Are Home
Most burglars avoid encountering residents and thus look for indicators of occupancy. Indicators include interior and exterior lights left on (timers are a good option), and leaving a radio or television on. Additionally, avoid leaving clues that you are away. Don’t leave an empty garage door open. Before going on vacation, stop your mail and have your grass cut regularly if you are gone for an extended length of time. Do not post on any social networking sites that you are going out of town.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you observe suspicious persons or cars or hear suspicious noises such as glass breaking, call 911. Over the years, many residents have told us they didn’t want to bother the police or didn’t want to be embarrassed if it turned out to be nothing. Well, that’s what we are here for and we are not going to apprehend many burglars without your help. Please don’t hesitate to call us.
Ruse Burglaries
In a typical ruse burglary, a lone suspect will knock on the door and tell the potential victims (usually elderly residents) he is doing work in the area. He may say his is tree trimming, or he works for a utility company or the Village. He typically lures victims to the backyard to show them where work needs to be done or to point to where he is doing work at a neighbor’s home. While the victim is distracted in the yard, other suspects enter through the front door and steal valuables.
Never let people into your home or be lured outside by people you don’t know. Keep your doors locked. Dial 911 immediately if anyone tries to talk you into letting them in or showing you something outside. Village employees and contractors carry Village ID’s. Police should be called if you are not certain of their identity. Please share this information with seniors you know.
Returning Home and Discovering a Break In
- Do not enter – the perpetrator may still be inside.
- Use a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone to call police.
- Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
- Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
- Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.
Notify the Riverwoods Police Department when you are leaving town. We will check your house regularly while you are away. Sign up here or call Police Dispatch at 847-945-1820.
Home or Business Security Survey
For further questions on Burglary Prevention or Crime Prevention in general, contact Crime Prevention Officer Al Maciareillo. Also, ask him to conduct a home or business security survey.
