Crime Prevention

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is based on the principle that proper design and effective use of buildings and public spaces in neighborhoods can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, and an improvement in the quality of life.  Learn how to assess conditions in your neighborhood and apply practical access control (doors, fences), surveillance (lighting, windows, landscaping), territorial reinforcement (signs, sidewalks, ordinances), and maintenance (code enforcement, community clean ups) to improve your community, your neighborhood, and/or your home.

• CPTED – Information Handout
• CPTED – Landscaping Recommendations
• CPTED – Outdoor Lighting Recommendations
• CPTED – Recommended Natural Landscaping Barriers

For additional resources, visit the Wisconsin Crime Prevention Practitioners Association (WCPPA).

What is Crime Stoppers?

Crime Stoppers is a cooperative effort between law enforcement agencies, the business community, the news media, and the public, which provides law enforcement agencies with the information they need to solve crimes. 

Crime Stoppers encourages people to provide tips that can be vital in the successful solution of a crime by offering cash rewards for tips which lead to the arrest and/or indictment of felony or misdemeanor suspects, and by guaranteeing that the tipster’s identity remains unknown.

How Does It Work?

When a person contacts Crime Stoppers through the anonymous tip line or website, and the information leads to an arrest, they become eligible for a CASH reward up to $1,000 Dollars. The 24 hour, 7 days a week Crime Stopper telephone maintains a caller’s anonymity by assigning a secret code number which is used in the subsequent CASH reward.

Park Watch Program

The Park Watch program was designed for the municipalities within Winnebago County to curb the incidents of vandalism and theft in area parks. 

Special Park Watch signs displaying the Winnebago CountyWide Crime Stoppers anonymous text tip information and phone line are posted in every park within Winnebago County. 

Can I Text My Tip?

Tipsters now have the option of texting tips through their cell phone.

Text “IGOTYA plus your message” to 274637 or CRIMES

More information can be found at: http://www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org

Click here to read the brochure.

Theft from vehicles has increased dramatically over the past several years.  Many of these thefts occur when cars are parked in driveways.  The popularity of GPS units, expensive stereo equipment, and cellular phones appear to encourage car prowlers. Any vehicle with a visible cellular phone, GPS unit, visible power cord or mount, briefcase, purse, gym bag or other valuables left in sight may be a target.

Other property often stolen from vehicles includes:

• Stereos
• Purses/wallets
• Checkbooks
• Sunglasses
• Equipment
• Cameras
• Spare change
• CDs
• Auto parts
• Power tools
• Tool boxes
• Hand tools
• Prescription Meds

What Thieves Do With Stolen Property?

Many things can be sold to other thieves or to someone who is looking for a deal. Other times they can be sold for cash at pawnshops. Some thieves look for purses to steal, and then they immediately make large purchases on the credit cards and alter the victim’s ID so they, or an accomplice, can forge the checks. This can cause an incredible amount of worry, hassle, and inconvenience for a victim. The thief doesn’t care about you, your feelings, or the hardship the theft will put you through. His or her point of view is, “Why should I pay for something when I can steal it?”

Preventing Vehicle Theft 

Put valuables out of sight, preferably in the trunk or bring them into the house at night. Thieves will break into any vehicle if they think there is something of value to be stolen from it.  Similarly, they are aware that many gym bags contain jewelry, keys, cash, and personal stereos, etc.  After removing valuables from view, LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS!!!!!!!. This will discourage some of the more casual thieves, the ones looking for the opportunity to steal. It will also deter those who would go into an unlocked car to look for a trunk or hood release button in order to steal auto parts or the contents of the trunk. 

Report suspicious activity while it is happening. This could save you or your neighbor from being victimized. Call 9-1-1 and stay on the line if you see or hear something that seems unusual or suspicious. Try to get a description of the suspects and their vehicle, and do not confront suspects.  Don’t think you are bothering the police by calling them to report suspicious activity. It’s their job to detect and apprehend criminals, and they need your help because they can’t be in everyone’s neighborhood 24 hours a day.  If your suspicions prove to be unfounded, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed. The police prefer that you call them so they can investigate that suspicious activity. It is more desirable to be mistaken than to be a victim!

Additional Security Measures

Outdoor security, such as lighting left on from dusk to dawn, is inexpensive and helps to deter crimes such as theft, vandalism, and burglary. In addition, many citizens are now equipping their cars with alarm systems. In some cases, the value of the vehicle and/or its contents are worth the cost of installation.  You can increase the chances of your property being recovered if it is stolen, by recording the serial number and marking items with an Identification number, such as your drivers license number.