Lockport Police Department Organizing Neighborhood Watches

LOCKPORT, IL — The Lockport Police Department is organizing neighborhood watches to help end car burglaries in the area. The police department said many towns in Will County have experienced a staggering increase in car burglaries of unlocked vehicles over the past few months.

The department will hold a neighborhood watch informational meeting at 6 p.m. March 23 at the department, 1212 Farrell Road. The department said it will work with volunteers throughout the city to stay up for a designated number of overnight hours and report any suspicious activity they see to police, while remaining inside their homes.

Police said offenders from organized crime crews out of Lockport focus on unlocked cars, and most of these burglaries happen between 1 and 5 a.m.

When offenders find an unlocked vehicle, they take everything of value inside. If the offenders find car keys inside, they will most likely take the vehicle. If they find a garage door opener, they have been known to enter the garage to steal items. Some offenders have been caught on video carrying a handgun, police said.

Police said they have increased patrol in residential neighborhoods. If residents come into contact with the car burglars, they are urged not to confront them, but instead call the Lockport Police Department immediately by dialing 911.