View our
National Night Out 2014 video.
The Westchester Police Department Community Relations Unit CRU is charged with the responsibility of establishing positive communication, to share concerns, perspectives, ideas and solutions to crime between the community and the Department. While all police officers are obligated to project a positive and professional image of the Department, the CRU assists and creates avenues in which to accomplish this task.
The Departments Community Relations Officer CRO serves as a liaison between the Department and the community, and is responsible for designing and implementing community programming in the areas of crime prevention, personal safety and neighborhood protection. The officers of this unit focus on projects that the Department can implement to enhance services to the community and to improve the quality of life.
The CRO frequently attends and participates in civic events such as parades, safety & health fairs, meetings, displays and other methods that allows the CRO interact with the community. The CRO also speaks on a variety of safety-related topics.
In addition the CRU coordinates a variety of services. Below are some of the programs that the Department CRU officers organize and promote for the community:
- Neighborhood Watch... probably the best home security program available to residents and the community. National Neighborhood Watch National Association of Town Watch
- Home and Apartment Security Survey... provides for a free safety inspection that gives residents the opportunity to learn cost effective techniques to make their home a harder target for a criminal.
- S.A.F.E. Senior… Safety, Abuse, and Fraud Education is a program designed for seniors that includes safety, fraud and cons.
- Red Ribbon Week... a full week of programs including drug awareness, personal awareness, stranger danger and others at public and private schools. National Family Partnership
- National Night Out... a nationwide event where neighbors gather together to send a message to criminals that they are united in cracking down on crime in their neighborhood. 2012 Westchester National Night Out Promo National Association of Town Watch
- Department Tours… we offer tours to groups interested in learning more about the police facility.
- Workplace Safety… a program addressing safety and violence in the workplace.
- Bullying… age appropriate presentations on the subject at both the public and private schools.
- Safety “U”… a children’s safety program sponsored by the park district and co-taught by the Department.
- Community Festivals… a Community Relations Unit booth is present at most events throughout the year.
- Presentations… at no cost and upon request the unit works with various citizen groups/organizations and the business community. If interested in having an officer speak at your next meeting, please contact us. We are pleased to accommodate most requests.
Please visit the Police Department and Neighborhood Watch program pages on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/
Citizens Police Academy
Crime Prevention
"Partners in Prevention"
The Westchester Police Department’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the community by working cooperatively with the public to prevent crime, enforce the law, preserve the peace, and provide a safe environment. The Department wants you to be safe and comfortable in your home and during your daily activities, whether leisure or work. And although the Department works very hard to create the safest environment possible, it is very important to remember that all citizens play a vital part in crime prevention. Crime prevention is truly a Police-Community partnership.
Crime prevention is the anticipation, recognition, and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of some action to remove or reduce it. In this continuing crime prevention initiative, the Department has designated the Community Relations Officer CRO to serve as the Department’s community liaison for your crime prevention needs.
Please explore our Community Relations webpage to learn more about crime prevention and how you can help in the fight against crime.
The following resources are available to help residents, businesses, rental property owners and others reduce the opportunities for crime:
Crime Cameras
The Westchester Police Department is partnering with the community register online
All requests for public programs at schools, businesses, civic organizations, questions, etc. should be directed to the Community Relations Unit, Officer Rob Verber, Community Relations Officer, at 708.345.006 ext. 440 or via
email.
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Neighborhood Watch
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"Partners in Prevention" to Reduce Crime
A healthy, united community is one of the strongest ways to deter crime. Neighborhood Watch, a crime prevention program sponsored by the Westchester Police Department and run by residents, enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime, solve problems, and keep each other informed of suspicious activity within the watch area. Click here for the Neighborhood Watch program brochure.
Neighborhood Watch Area Signs
Once the Neighborhood Watch area is established, signs designate the area as such. The signs have been known to deter would-be criminals, who know that watchful neighbors will alert police to any unusual activity in the area.
Annual Gatherings
Some Neighborhood Watch groups hold annual block parties, garage sales, a holiday cookie exchange or picnics to help everyone stay connected. Officers, as with any good neighbor, welcome an invitation to get to know everyone.
Current Neighborhood Watch Groups
1100 block of Manchester; 1100 block of Suffolk; 1500 block of Bristol; 1600 block of Gardner; entire block of Raleigh.
Facebook
You are encouraged to visit our extensive page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/
The following resources are available to help residents start and then maintain a Watch Group:
Neighborhood Watch News
Check this space for news and updates
Seniors
As people grow older, their chances of being victims of crime decrease dramatically. But a lifetime of experience coupled with the physical problems associated with aging often makes older Americans fearful. Although they’re on the lookout constantly for physical attack and burglary, they’re not as alert to frauds and con games, in reality, the greatest crime threat to seniors’ well being and trust.
S.A.F.E. stands for Safety, Abuse, and Fraud Education. The purpose of the program is to educate seniors in the community about home and personal safety, elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and con games and fraud schemes. We offer presentations on any one of these topics to community organizations, senior residents or any other group that is interested.
The following resources are available to aid seniors from becoming victims:
The Community Relations Unit offers a variety of information brochures to aid seniors from becoming victims:
- "If in Doubt, Keep Them Out" - Distraction Crime the other Residential Burglary
- Fraud Target: Senior Citizens
All requests for public programs at schools, businesses, civic organizations, questions, etc. should be directed to the Community Relations Unit, Officer Rob Verber, Community Relations Officer, at 708.345.006 ext. 440 or via
email.
Crime Cams — A Community Camera
Partnership
Video surveillance is one of the best methods for apprehending criminals and convicting suspects who are caught in the act of committing a crime. Installing video surveillance is a great example of community-police partnerships and is something we highly value as a police agency serving our community.
Many business owners and residents currently operate surveillance systems at their businesses and/or homes. As crimes occur nearby, they are not always aware that their system may have captured information that could help solve the crime, thus keeping our community safer. In turn, the police are also not always aware who may have this potentially vital information.
How You Can Help
The Westchester Police Department is asking residents and businesses in the Village to register their privately owned surveillance camera systems. As we respond to incidents, we may be able to use the information or footage gathered from the security cameras in the area to assist in the apprehension and prosecution of the persons involved.
If your residence or business has a security camera system meeting the two requirements below, you can help the Westchester Police Department investigate and solve crimes by registering your camera system.
- Exterior facing security camera system
- Camera system records and retains video
The program is entirely voluntary and consent to view video footage from your camera could be withdrawn at any time.
Police Department Response
If a crime occurs in the vicinity of a registered camera, an investigator from the Westchester Police Department may contact the registered owner of the camera and ask to review and/or copy the recorded footage relevant to the date and time of the incident.
How to Register
Individuals wishing to participate in the program must:
- Fill out the Security Camera Registration Form.
- To register multiple locations, use separate forms for each address.
- You may submit by mail:
Westchester Police Department
Attn: Police Services Coordinator
10300 W Roosevelt Rd. Westchester, IL 60154
For more information, questions or concerns about the program, please contact Officer Rob Verber by email at
or calling 708-345-0060 ext. 440.
Report a Change or to Un-register from the Program
To report a change in status (i.e. no longer utilizing security cameras, change in exterior camera locations, no longer residing at the address), please contact the Westchester Police Department by:
- Filling out the top portion of the form and emailing the form as indicated above, or to de-activate the service simply e-mail the registration form with the appropriate information or contact Detective Sgt. Vince LaManna at 708-345-0060 ext. 407
Disclaimer & Terms of Use
The goal of this security camera registration project is to deter crime and promote public safety. Any footage related to criminal activity may be collected by the Westchester Police Department for use as evidence.
Information is reserved for official use by the Westchester Police Department. If necessary, the Westchester Police Department will contact you to request the appropriate video surveillance footage. Under no circumstances shall registrants construe that they are acting as an employee of the Westchester Police Department through this security camera registration.
By submitting this form, you are aware of and consent to the release of video imagery to the public/media as necessary for the WPD Investigation, or to requestors, as allowed under the State Records Act.
By registering with This Form — You Agree to These Terms.
Police Divisions
The police department is broken down into three divisions. The divisions are Patrol, Investigation, and Administrative. They are as follows:
- The Patrol Division is responsible for maintaining high visibility and rapid response to calls for service, as well as the aggressive/preventive patrolling of the Village streets. Marked squad cars and additional police bike patrol units during the summer months continue to keep a watchful eye on us all.
- The Investigative Division handles the follow-up investigations of all criminal incidents within the village, including juvenile matters and warrant control service.
- The Administrative Division handles the records division, public information, red light photo enforcement and police equipment.
The Village of Westchester utilizes red light photo enforcement at the following intersections:
- Southbound Mannheim Road at Cermak Road.
- Westbound Roosevelt Road at Mannheim Road.
- Northbound Roosevelt Road at Mannheim Road.
If you have received a red light photo enforcement ticket by mail,
visit the website to view video of your violation. You will be provided options for payment, to contest the ticket by mail, or to request an in-person hearing.
Contact 1-877-262-3318 with any questions you may have regarding your violation.
Find
further information regarding red light traffic enforcement.
The state of Illinois maintains the current list of registered sex offenders within the state of Illinois. See the
Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry.
If you see any crime or potential crime, please call 911 immediately. If you have a crime tip for any unsolved cases, or potential cases, please call 911 or use our online form. You can leave contact information or report the tip anonymously.
Report a Crime Tip