PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: This information is not only for Portage Residents, but anyone who owns/rents a home, apartment, mobile home, etc. in any community. There has been a rash of burglaries that have occurred/are occurring throughout the Region. In today's newspaper alone, the communities of Portage, Crown Point, Lansing and La Porte were mentioned with a series of burglaries and thefts. Below are several tips to help prevent this from happening to you.
1. Ensure all doors and windows are locked when you leave.
2. Leave an inside light(s) on and/or use a light timing device.
3. Ensure all outer lights are working properly. If you have a street light out, report it. We have our Officers/Reserves out as well looking for the non-working street lights.
4. Leave a secondary vehicle in the driveway if you have one. If you don't and plan on being gone for an extended period, ask a neighbor to occasionally park his/her vehicle in your driveway.
5. Ask a neighbor or relative to check on your residence if gone for an extended period.
6. Think about a camera monitoring system. You can also get an inexpensive non-functioning camera that gives the appearance you're monitoring outside activity.
7. Do not let newspapers or mail accumulate. Ask a neighbor or relative to pick them up.
8. Ensure all jewelry, medication and weapons-(guns) are locked in a safe and/or hidden well.
9. Copy down all serial numbers, makes and models of valuables and photograph all valuables for identification and insurance purposes.
10. If you're going to be gone for an extended period, contact the Portage Police (or your jurisdictional agency) to notify us and we'll add that information to our Daily Bulletin for Officers on patrol.
11. If you think you were the victim of a burglary/theft...do not touch anything, back out of the residence and call us. We'll clear the residence and then begin the investigation.
12. BE AWARE: by posting on social media sites of pending vacations or using the "check-in" app you're alerting everyone when you’re not home. Be cautious about doing this.
13. If you ever see anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call us.
14. Also wanted to mention vehicles...lock them when you get out, do not leave an extra key in them and if you leave valuables inside (i.e. radar, GPS, etc. hide in the glove box or console so it cannot be seen. However, it's always better to take it inside.
-Chief Troy Williams