The original item was published from March 29, 2019 3:35 PM to March 31, 2020 12:00 AM
I know that there are some who love our Illinois winters, but I for one was ready for spring to start.
With warmer weather heading our way, it is a good time to provide some basic crime prevention tips. One of the most common crimes that we experience nearly every spring is burglary to motor vehicles. These are usually crimes of opportunity. This means offenders look for unlocked cars that have valuables in plain sight. The most commonly stolen items are money, sunglasses, computers, purses and other similar items.
We also have experienced cases where offenders utilized the garage door opener in an unlocked car to gain access to the garage. There are some simple steps that we can all take to lessen the likelihood of becoming a victim of this type of crime, including:
- Always lock your car doors and close your windows if your vehicle is unattended.
- Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
- If you do have to leave valuables in your vehicle, make sure that they are not in plain view.
- Never leave your keys in your unlocked and/or unattended vehicle.
- Park your vehicle in a lighted area at night if possible.
- Consider installing motion detecting outdoor lighting.
- If you see something unusual in your neighborhood, say something. We would much rather check into a situation while it is occurring. That is what we are here for.
Last but not least, please keep an eye out for pedestrians. Geneva is a very walkable community and a true destination spot for residents and visitors alike. Please watch your speed and limit your distractions as you travel through the community.
The Geneva Police Department will be participating in the national Distracted Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign in April. We will have officers patrolling to assure that we are doing all we can to make our roadways as safe as is possible.
Eric Passarelli
Geneva Police Chief