Help Kids Stay Safe

The Park Ridge Police Department wants to help you and your children “THINK SMART & STAY SAFE”. We encourage parents to have discussions with their children about safety topics such as strangers, staying home alone, and what to do in an emergency.

It is important for children to understand that strangers are not necessarily scary looking, they look like ordinary people and can be young or old. Basically, they are anyone you do not know. If a stranger approaches a child and tries to talk to him or her, the child should say, “I’m sorry but I can’t help you,” and walk away. If a stranger in a car calls out to a child, the child should never go close to the car, just keep walking. If possible, kids should walk with friends to and from school and should not walk through alleys or behind buildings. If a child thinks someone is following them, they should switch directions or cross the street. If the stranger is still there, the child should move quickly towards a group of people, a  McGruff House or a well populated area.  

For more information on participating in the McGruff House program, contact Officer Peterson at (847) 318-5233.  Or, visit the website to learn more about what is involved in being a McGruff House.  

Children should also remember to trust their instincts. If they see something they feel is not right or feel uncomfortable about, they should get away from that situation. Tell a trusted adult about it as soon as possible and call the police to report the incident.

If children are going to be home alone, they should be aware of the following: Never open the door to a stranger; if someone calls on the phone, the child should say their parents are home but can’t come to the phone right now and then ask to take a message; children should check in frequently with their parents and if kids are allowed to go out they should keep in contact at all times. If friends are allowed to come over, there should be some guidelines that govern their behavior. It is very important to have emergency phone numbers available and children should know how and when to dial 9-1-1.

 

Pedestrian Safety Near Train Tracks

The Park Ridge Police Department continues to receive calls from concerned citizens that a significant number of pedestrians are disobeying the warning devices at the Summit and Dee Road railroad stations. We want the community to know that we are very concerned about the safety of our pedestrians and commuters. The department has conducted informational campaigns in the recent past along with METRA and began by issuing warnings. Unfortunately, the informational campaign has not accomplished the desired goal: voluntary compliance. We continue to observe pedestrians placing themselves in harm’s way. Because of our commitment to safety, the Park Ridge Police Department will continue to enforce grade crossing laws on a periodic basis. Please be aware of this and avoid a ticket, and more importantly, potential injury or death by adhering to railroad crossing laws. The fine for a first time offense is $250.00. The fine for a second offense can be up to $500.00. The following list of information is important for pedestrians to be aware of when near railroad tracks:

•       Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings.

•       Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions.

•       Flashing red lights signal that a train is approaching from either direction. You can be fined for failing to obey these signals. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing. Stay alive! Do not cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it is safe to do so.

•       Unless you are at a designated public crossing or platform, the railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine.

•       It can take a mile or more to stop a train, so a locomotive engineer who suddenly spots you ahead has little chance to miss you.

•       Trains overhang beyond the tracks by at least three feet in both directions and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are in the right-of-way next to the tracks, the train can hit you.

•       The only safe and legal place to cross is at a designated public crossing with either a cross buck, flashing red lights or a gate. If you cross at any other place, you are trespassing and can be ticketed or fined.

•       Do not attempt to hop aboard moving railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb or your life.

•       Be aware that some trains do not follow set schedules.

•       Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks or rights-of-way.

 

Seniors Beware

The Police Department would like to remind you with the weather warming up and home improvement repairs beginning we encounter a problem with scams in our community.

Elderly residents especially are key targets in these scams, but anyone can become a victim.

Suspects can pose as utility company employees, and/or home repair contractors.  Entry is made into the victim's home by the use of misrepresentation.  Once inside, one suspect will divert the resident's attention while the accomplices search for and steal money, jewelry, or other small valuables.  The suspects are very clever and will tell you just about anything to get into the house, even asking you for a drink of water or if you have seen their lost pet.

Other scams occur when suspects pose as contractors to do home repairs and may offer to provide a service for a very low fee, then will charge you double or triple the amount.  Be aware of people that approach you to do work because they are "in the neighborhood", or start on a repair without asking first.  They can be fast talkers and can distract you easily.

Always get estimates for home repair jobs and compare prices.  Ask friends or family for recommendations and ask for referrals of the business and call them.  Always wait to make a decision and do not give anyone cash the same day.  Make payments by check, so that if you are dissatisfied with the service, payment can be stopped.

Finally, never let anyone in your house unless you know them, and call the police if you see or encounter any person trying to offer you service that sounds too good to be true.  

 

What to do if you lose your wallet

Cancel your credit cards immediately.  The key is having the card numbers and toll-free numbers handy, so make a list before something happens and store it in a safe place.  Or make photocopies (front and back) of the stuff in your wallet and hide it in a safe place.

File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was lost or stolen.  Try to get a receipt for the report, or at least the phone and fax numbers for the police department, and date you can obtain a copy of the report.  

Call the three national credit reporting organizations and ask them to put fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.  The numbers are: Equifax, (800) 525-6285; Experian (formerly TRW), (888) 397-3742; and TransUnion, (800) 680-7289.

Report it to the Social Security Administration fraud line, (800) 269-0271.

Call your bank if your checkbook or ATM card was lost or stolen.

 

How to avoid being the victim

There are three reasons why people are easy targets for random acts of violence:

a.    Lack of awareness. You MUST know where you are & what's going on around you.

b.    Body Language. Keep your head up, swing your arms, stand straight up.

c.    Wrong Place, Wrong Time. Don't walk alone in an alley, or drive in a bad neighborhood at night.

If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives. Or, look for the inside trunk release if so equipped.

Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc). Don't do this. The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. As soon as you get into the car, lock the doors and leave. 

A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:  

    A.      Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.

    B.    If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the person is attempting to get into their car.

    C.    Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.

It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot.)

If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, always run. The predator will only hit you ( a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely will not be a vital organ. Run.

Women are always trying to be sympathetic: stop it! It may get you raped, or killed.

Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS  played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.