Crime & Safety

Elmhurst Police Update City Council on 'Brazen' Daytime Burglaries

Preventing burglaries requires the whole community to be vigilant, police said.

Due to what Elmhurst Mayor Pete DiCianni calls the "brazen" nature of recent daytime burglaries, acting Police Chief Dominic Panico was asked to address the City Council and residents Tuesday night.

Panico reported that officers have been reassigned from regular beats to step up residential patrols. In addition, police are combing databases and collaborating with other towns as they search for leads, he said.
 
"The Elmhurst Police Department has taken these recent crimes very seriously," Panico said.
   
Fifth Ward Alderman Chris Healy asked if burglaries were more likely to occur to homes located near getaway routes, such as Interstate 290. Panico replied that while no patterns have emerged, it was clear that "clusters" of home invasions did occur near major roads.

The Police Department issued a list of crime prevention strategies to residents on Wednesday. The release states that most of the burglaries in town are committed during daylight hours when homeowners are at work or school.

"Please keep in mind that Elmhurst is not alone in these types of crimes," the release states. "Surrounding communities are also experiencing similar crime patterns."

Police are encouraging residents to take the following precautions:

  • Call 911 immediately to report any suspicious activity, people or vehicles, and be sure to take note of descriptions and license plate numbers.
  • If someone rings the doorbell or knocks on a door excessively, call 911. Burglars have commonly used this tactic to determine if anyone is home.
  • Set your burglar alarm every time you leave home.
  • Obtain or purchase security system signs or decals for windows and doors.
  • Make sure all doors and windows are locked.
  • Install interior/exterior motion detection lights.
  • Use interior lights and timers when not at home.
  • Trust your instincts. If it doesn't look right, it probably isn't.
  • If you're not going to be home until late afternoon or evening, use both interior and exterior lighting.
  • If you have a newspaper delivery, remove the paper from the driveway. Leaving it outside lets people know you may not be home.
  • Always lock your vehicle with all the windows up, even when parked in the driveway. Vehicular burglary at residences is very common.
  • Never leave valuables in sight. Secure purses, wallets, GPS units, laptop computers, iPods, cash and power cords out of sight.
  • Keep unneeded items such as credit cards, electronics and passports at home and secured.

Police are asking residents to pass these suggestions on to relatives, neighbors and friends.

"With increased awareness and by following these suggestions, we can work together to prevent (citizens) from becoming a victim of crime," the release states.

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