Lock It or Lose It
As the temperatures rise, we also see a rise in petty property crime. The Huntley Police Department takes proactive measures to combat this trend, such as increased presence in affected neighborhoods, directed foot and bike patrols, and investigation of reported incidents. While we do what we can to fight this problem, there are some important (and simple) things residents can do to help as well: lock your vehicle, secure your valuables and report suspicious activity.
Lock Your Vehicle
The majority of vehicles burglarized in our community are unlocked. Generally, if a vehicle is locked the would-be burglar will pass that vehicle by.
Locking your vehicle may seem like common sense, but we often get lulled into a sense of complacency or simply forget to lock our vehicle, especially when it is parked in the driveway. Try to incorporate this into your nightly routine. Before locking up the house for the night, check that your car is locked and all valuables are removed.
Secure Your Valuables
If you don’t lock your vehicle and secure your valuables, you’re making them an easy target for crime. Even locked vehicles can fall victim to burglary. This generally happens in public parking lots when valuables are left in plain view.
Even if you are leaving your car for a very short time, lock the doors and don’t leave items such as purses, wallets or electronics in plain view.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
Huntley’s observant and engaged citizens are one of our greatest crime fighting tools. Be vigilant of your property and that of your neighbors. If you see anything suspicious, be sure to call 9-1-1 promptly so law enforcement can respond to the location and investigate.
Huntley Safety 1st is the monthly education series written by the staff of the Huntley Police Department to provide citizens with information on public safety related issues.