Solicitors

Summer is the peak time of year for door to door sales. While some solicitors are authorized and legitimate, many are not. The Winnetka Police Department encourages all residents to take some basic precautions when dealing with unknown solicitors.

Recommendations
When someone knocks at your door, don’t open it unless you know your visitor. View the person through a door viewer or window. Ask who they are and what they want. If the person is a sales representative, ask to see identification and their solicitors permit. A legitimate solicitor will have a Village of Winnetka permit. Have the person slip their credentials through the mail slot or view them through the window or door viewer. If you choose to conduct business with a legitimate sales representative, limit the amount of personal information you provide. Never provide a social security or bank debit card number.

If the solicitor does not have a permit or refuses to provide identification, do not open the door and advise them you are not interested in their sales presentation. If you have concerns or questions on the legitimacy of a permit, contact the Winnetka Police Department to verify the identity of the individual and the organization they purport to represent. If the solicitor becomes belligerent, tell him/her to leave your property and call the police. Call the Winnetka Police Department non-emergency line at 847-501-6034 for permit inquires and general questions.

Call 911 immediately to report suspicious person(s) and activities. This includes a solicitor who refuses to leave your property or has become hostile or threatening.

Security Survey
The Winnetka Police Department Crime Prevention Unit offers free security surveys. Upon request, an officer will conduct a survey of your home and make recommendations on how you can make the building more secure and reduce the opportunity of becoming the victim of a crime. For more information or to schedule a survey please contact Sergeant Marc Hornstein at 847-716-3409.

Burglaries and Thefts from Autos are Growing Problems on the North Shore

In three out of four car burglaries reported to the Winnetka Police Department, the vehicles had been left unlocked.

Theft is a costly crime. It results in loss not only for those whose property is stolen but also for the entire community since expensive police resources must be dedicated to investigating it. This crime can be prevented!

What you can do:

• Ensure that your vehicle is locked after you park, even if it is parked in your own driveway or in your garage.
• Remove all valuables from your vehicle, including purses, wallets, cell phones, and portable electronic devices. Never leave keys in a parked vehicle.
• Keep the outside of your home well lighted at night, including the garage area.
• Be observant and call 911 immediately to report any suspicious activity to the Winnetka Police Department.

Auto thefts and burglaries of autos are often "crimes of opportunity." The Winnetka Police Department frequently receives reports of money or other items, often left in open view, stolen from unlocked vehicles. Many times these crimes are committed by individuals who just happen to be passing by and can't resist the temptation to take something that is easily within their reach. Valuables should never be left in view inside of a vehicle.

Taking simple, common-sense precautions will help to reduce the number of thefts that are committed in Winnetka. Minimizing the opportunity for these types of crimes to be committed will help keep our community a safe and secure place.