In the spirit of keeping our community informed and looking out for one another, we wanted to share a summary of recent activity reported by neighbors and provide some practical tips to help keep our streets safe and well-monitored.
While there has been an uptick in vehicle-related thefts in the area—specifically involving catalytic converters and airbags—we can take simple, collective steps to discourage this activity.
Recent Neighborhood Activity
Several neighbors have reported thefts over the past week, primarily focused on vehicle parts:
- Catalytic Converters: Targeted thefts occurred on the 1400 block of Warner and the 4200 block of Greenview.
- Airbags: Incidents were reported on the 1400 block of Belle Plaine and near 4001 Greenview. Reports suggest that Honda models (specifically CRVs and HRVs) are being frequently targeted for their airbags.
- Work Vans: There have been reports of break-ins to work vans on Greenview during daylight hours. A suspicious vehicle and an individual wearing a high-visibility vest were spotted in the area.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Property
There are several easy ways to make our blocks less appealing to those looking for an opportunity:
- Light Up the Night: Keep your front and back porch lights on from dusk to dawn. Motion-sensor lights are also highly effective. Ensure lights are angled downward rather than toward the sky.
- Secure Your Vehicle: If you own a Honda or park on the street, consider using a steering wheel lock (like “The Club”), which can deter airbag thieves. As always, ensure no valuables are left inside your car.
- Home Security: Double-check that all home and garage doors are locked. For those on the first or second floors, using ventilation locks on windows is a great added layer of security.
- Know Your Neighbors: Having the phone numbers and addresses of the neighbors on all sides of your home makes it easier to look out for each other and communicate quickly if something seems amiss.
The Importance of Reporting
If you see a crime or suspicious behavior in progress, please call 911 immediately. For reporting past incidents, contact the 19th District CAPS office at 312-744-0064 or email caps.019district@chicagopolice.org.
Even if it feels like a minor incident, reporting it is vital because police patrol staffing is determined by crime statistics. If it isn’t reported, the city doesn’t know we need the extra coverage.
Get Involved
We are looking for four volunteers to attend the 19th District Beat 1912 meetings over the next year (meetings occur every other month) and report back to the community. If you can help, please reach out (info@gracelandwest.org)!
By staying vigilant and keeping our neighborhood bright and connected, we can continue to make Graceland West a safe place for everyone.
Take care,
Your Graceland West Neighbors
