Spring Crime Prevention Tips

Barrington enjoys a relatively low crime lifestyle. This is due to active effective police patrols, thorough investigations and the crime prevention practices that many of our citizens follow. We can drive the crime rates even lower though further protecting our families and property. The steps are easy for everyone to help out.

• Report suspicious cars or people in your neighborhood. Report it immediately so police can respond quickly. Get a license plate number if you can safely.
• As the evenings get lighter and warmer and you go walking at night, take your cell phone to report any suspicious activities you see. Bring a flashlight to warn traffic if you can’t walk on the sidewalk. If you walk late at night, bring a friend.
• Use outside lighting on your house at night ... front and back. 
• Keep your car doors locked whether in your own driveway or when out shopping or dining. 
• Keep your garage door closed when you aren’t in the garage or driveway.

Sometimes, all it takes is for one or two incidents in a neighborhood to alarm residents. Keep an eye out for your neighbor’s safety, and they will keep an eye out for you.

Spring Break vacation time is beginning. Please contact the police department to put your house on a Vacation Watch. You can call and provide the information or download the form from the police department Forms web page on the village website www.barrington‐il.gov. You can hand deliver, fax or e‐mail the vacation watch form after you complete it.

Basic steps to take when leaving you home for vacation include:

• Arrange with a neighbor to pick up and hold your mail and newspapers daily so they don’t pile up. If this is not possible, make arrangements with the post office and the newspaper carrier to stop all deliveries.
• Make arrangements for someone to occasionally check for UPS or FedEx deliveries.
• Leave a couple lights on timers, including outside lights if possible. If you don’t have timers, photo‐sensitive lights that come on in darkness conditions are a good option.
• Notify a trusted neighbor of your vacation plans. They can report suspicious activity to the police or to you while you are away.
• Secure your home... double check the locks on all windows & doors, including the garage door. Make sure that a “Charley bar” is secure on sliding doors, and that all screens or storm windows are locked or fastened.
• If you have valuables in the house, take them to your bank for storage in a safety deposit box. Deposit extra cash in your bank account.
• Move all ladders, tools, lawn implements, garbage cans and yard furniture to your garage, basement or storage shed.
• Close your fireplace flue to prevent birds or animals from entering. 
• Put window shades in normal daytime position and make sure all main floor drapes, shades and curtains are arranged so that neighbors and police can see into your house. 
• If you are leaving a vehicle in your driveway, make sure it is locked. 
• Leave a key with a neighbor or relative. Make sure you have their phone number.

Information submitted by the Barrington Police Department