Crime Prevention For Stranger Danger Click

The Worth Police Department will be offering home inspections to determine how easy it is for a burglar to enter your home. The inspection includes entry doors, windows, lighting, and shrubs or other growth that can obscure visibility. It will be announced on this page when and how these inspections will be scheduled.

Prevention Tips

Doors
Beware of hollow-core door construction for exterior or security doors.
Watch for poor locks which are easily forced or kicked open
For exterior protection you need solid core doors and quality locks
Spring Locks/Latches can not be opened with a credit card or knife.
Many burglars enter homes through improperly secured sliding glass doors
Additional locks and security measures will prevent the door
from being opened or lifted out of the track
Double doors need solid security as they are easily jimmied or forced open
Flush lever bolts installed at the top and bottom of the doors are recommended.
Doors with glass windows require double key deadbolt locks.
The key to a double key deadbolt lock should be left in the lock at all times when someone is home to ensure easy exit in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Beware of exterior doors that open out as hinge pins can be removed.
Install a Door Viewer to let you see someone standing outside your door.

Garage Doors
Standard locks on garage doors are easily pried
Cane bolts and hasps are excellent protection.
Any door leading from the garage into the house should be securely locked
.
Windows
Sliding glass windows should be given the same attention as sliding glass doors
Use the same supplementary locks or screws in the frame
to prevent the window from being lifted out of the track.
Double hung windows can be similarly secured by a pin or screw
which limits how far a window can be opened.
You also may purchase special key locks for windows at a hardware store
Crank windows are easily secured.
The latch should close properly with the window tight.

Tips
Engrave your Driver's License number on valuables.
Do not use other forms of identification as it can be used against you in identity theft or it may not be enough for the police to identify your property.

Photograph / video tape your belongings and maintain receipts and serial numbers. This helps police and the insurance company identify what property you had before a loss. Keep this information in a safe place or even a bank safety deposit box in case of fire.

Dogs:
Dogs that bark loudly are a deterrent to burglary.
Certain breeds of dogs are more feared by burglars.
Consult experts when considering training a dog for security purposes.
Dogs not trained properly can present certain dangers and liabilities.

Alarms.
Alarms can be a deterrent to burglary.
Alarm stickers should be visible in every window that can be breached.
Loud sirens should be used and the signal should be tied in with our watch office / dispatch center either directly or though an alarm company.
Some alarm systems are expensive. Before investing large amounts of money, feel free to contact the Worth Police Department crime prevention department for advise.

Security Lighting
Burglars and Thieves generally do not like operating in well lit areas.
Sometimes the use of motion detector lights gives the appearance that someone is watching the premise and has been alerted to their presence.
Cars parked outside are safer in the driveway with the outside lights on.
Please LOCK YOUR CAR.
Leaving a car unlocked is an open invitation to theft.
DO NOT LEAVE GPS Locaters in your car.
Thieves will break the window to obtain the GPS equipment.

Questions, Comments, or Concerns email:
	Officer Atton, Crime Prevention
	Officer Ritz, Neighborhood Watch and Webmaster
Internet Safety for Children The Worth Police Department has initiated a MySpace page for purposes of internet safety. We urge the residents to have their children on MySpace send us a friend request, and place our badge on their top friends list. The Cook County Sheriff’s Police Child Exploitation Unit gives estimation that four out of five children on the internet are propositioned. The Cook County Sheriff’s Police created their own MySpace account and discovered that their badge on children’s MySpace pages deters sex offenders from making propositions to children. The Worth Police Department is dedicated to the safety of the children of this community. Any illegal propositioning of a juvenile or minor that is brought to the attention of this department will be investigated thoroughly and the offenders will be arrested and prosecuted. Click above for the department's MySpace Page