March 2017 Crime Report

mcr

Dear All,

Attached is our District 6 Crime Report for March.  While this is the lowest number of incidents reported not only for this year (60),but also for last year – we are still only one incident less for the total of the first three months of 2017 compared to 2016.  I am hoping we will be able to keep this number low and not see the spike that we usually do during the months when school is out.  By all being conscience of our surroundings and by practicing good, common sense precautions, we should be able to make a difference.  Unfortunately, it seems like parts of the southern area of the district were the ones with more incidents.  Again, I would like to encourage neighborhoods to work together to reduce crime.  I would like to encourage neighborhoods to have a Crime Watch meeting and invite IMPD to come out and talk with a group of residents (they don’t care how many) on how you can work together to make your neighborhood safer and how individuals can make their home safer.  To set up a Crime Watch Meeting in IMPD’s Northwest District, please contact Sgt. Matt Grimes at Matthew.Grimes@indy.gov or 317-327-6616.  I know many neighborhoods are still planning their annual meetings, etc., this would be a great time to plan to have someone from Northwest District IMPD come out and talk to a group.  If you are in the Town of Clermont, please contact Chief Steve Dulworth by calling 317-291-0416.

All of us can be pro-active against crime.  The number one thing to remember is if you see something suspicious, something that doesn’t seem quite right – CALL 911.  Never hesitate calling 911 if something seems wrong.  When attending a Crime Watch Meeting last year it was said that you wouldn’t hesitate calling the fire department if you saw smoke or a fire, don’t hesitate calling the police if you see or hear something that needs them.

If something is happening right now – call 911.  If it is not happening right now, call the non-emergency number at 317-327-3811.  Do file a report if you have had something stolen from your property or someone has broken into your vehicle or attempted to break in.  The police want to know these things.  It helps them to see if there are patterns or areas of concern and may help them to catch those who are up to no good.  So, don’t hesitate filing a report if something has happened to you or your property.

With summer fast approaching, with people spending more time out of doors, vacations coming and spending time away from our homes, we all need to be just a little more vigilant.  Some tips I would like to offer:

1.)  ALWAYS KEEP YOUR VEHICLE LOCKED AND NOTHING IN IT OF VALUE.  I know I say this every month, but I still hear about vehicles being broken into (or just having the door opened as they are not locked) and laptops or other valuables stolen and glove boxes gone through.  Don’t leave garage door openers inside your vehicle either, as this is a way not only to enter your house now, but take and return later.

2.)  Keep your doors locked into you house, even if you are home or working in the yard.  People have had “strangers” walk into their homes while they were inside and wander off with valuables (such as a purse).  It also is easy to ring the doorbell, no one answers, and they see you in the yard out back, enter a house and help themselves to a few things and disappear.

3.)  Be careful of open windows, even on second floors.  We all enjoy the fresh air inside our homes this time of year, and we really aren’t ready to turn on the air conditioning.  Make sure they are closed and locked when you are gone, asleep, or not within eyesight where you can see someone who may be trying to get in through a screen.

4.)  Never leave bikes, scooters, lawn equipment, etc. outside unattended.  Easy pickings for someone walking or driving by to stop and grab without being noticed.

5.)  In addition to keeping you doors locked, keep your garage door closed and locked not only when you are gone, but when you are at home working outside.  We all have things in our garage that can be grabbed quickly and would be costly to replace.  Also, many times this would also be a quick way into the house if you don’t have the door between the garage and house locked.

6.)  When going on vacation – don’t post it on Social Media.  You never know who may see it.  Posting that picture of you having a great time miles away can wait until you are back home.  After all, if the wrong person sees it, they know your house is empty.

7.)  Let a trusted neighbor know when you are gone – and have them keep an extra eye out on your home.  Make sure your home always looks like someone is there.  Lights on timers, trash put out if possible, newspapers picked up, yard kept cut as it normally would, etc.

8.)  When in a parking lot, going for a walk on a trail or sidewalk, etc. be aware of your surroundings.  Don’t be texting or doing other things that can distract you.  Stay focused on who and what is around you.  Very easy to become a victim of a purse snatching or a pick-pocket.

Just remember – See something, say something – call 911.  While we all want to see Indianapolis/Marion County have less crime, we can all work together to help make our area and District 6 a safer place to live, work, and play.

Sincerely,

Janice McHenry
City-County Councillor District 6

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