City of Quincy ILLINOIS

Crime Prevention Checklist

1. Join a Neighborhood Watch. Crime prevention, whether at home or at work or in public places, is a matter of being aware of opportunities for you to be the victim of a crime and taking steps to reduce your vulnerability. We highly recommend that you participate in a Neighborhood Watch if one is organized where you live or in your business watch if you have a business. If there is not a watch organized in your area, contact the Proact Unit at 228-4485.

2. Have a burglary prevention survey done at your residence by contacting the above number and requesting a survey.

3. In the meantime, be sure outside doors and doors to basement/garages are of a metal or solid wood construction and kept locked.

4. Door frames are strong enough and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading apart.

5. Hinges are protected from outside tampering, windows in any door are not within 40 inches of the lock.

6. Adequate door locks.

7. Strikes and strike plates are adequate and correctly installed.

8. Locking mechanism cannot be reached through the mail slot, delivery port or pet entrance.

9. Is there a screen or storm door, which has adequate locks?

10. Are all entrances lighted with at least a 40-watt light bulb?

11. Front entrance observable from the street or public areas.

12. Does porch/landscaping offer concealment for a criminal?

13. Is there an "auxiliary" locking bar or key operated lock for your sliding glass door? If there is a sliding glass door, is the sliding panel secured from being lifted out?

14. Do windows have adequate locks with screens or storm windows that lock from the inside?

15. Do any open windows into areas that may be hazardous offer special risks to burglary?

16. Do such windows have security screens or grills?

17. Is exterior adequately lighted at all window areas?

18. Are trees and shrubbery kept trimmed from upper floor windows?

19. Do not keep ladders outside where they are accessible.

20. Is the basement entrance lighted with a 40-watt light?

21. Is the outside basement entrance concealed from the street?

22. Are basement windows adequately secured against entrances?

23. Is garage door adequately locked, kept closed at all times and lighted with at least a 40-watt light bulb?

24. Are garage windows secured adequately?

25. Are tools and ladders kept in the garage, and if so, are they observable and accessible from the outside?

Personal Security

1. Stay in public places.

2. Try to go to locations in a group if possible, particularly at night.

3. Walk with confidence and know where you are going.

4. Request an escort to and from your vehicle, particularly at night, if possible.

5. If you are walking to your car or from your car to a residence or other building, have keys in your hand to assist your entry . . . may also be used as a weapon in an emergency.

6. Take a personal safety course.

7. Let other people know where you are going, when you plan to leave and when you plan to return.

8. Dress appropriate to the surroundings that you are going to be in.