Community Programs
I Live Alone
The I Live Alone program allows our Department to check in on the well-being of our senior citizens. All it takes is for the senior citizen or a member of their family to contact us requesting an I Live Alone form. This form contains information about who to contact in the event of an emergency, along with medical information. Once registered, our Department personnel will call the senior citizen every Saturday to make sure everything is ok and there are no problems. If we are unable to contact the person after several attempts, we will send an officer to check on their well being.
Click here to complete the form.
Safe Haven For Online Sales Transactions
The Harwood Heights Police Department encourages residents who are conducting Craigslist or other online sales transactions to use the parking lot or lobby of the Police Station to ensure that the buyers and sellers complete the sale safely. Many police departments are joining a national trend by offering “Safe Havens” to deter thefts or robberies during online transactions.
The Harwood Heights Police Department’s parking lot and lobby are continuously monitored by video surveillance, and police officers are always nearby. However, police officers will not become involved in the sales transactions or oversee them unless there are suspicious circumstances.
Police strongly advise against having a stranger come to your home (and do not go to theirs) for an exchange of goods found online or advertised through the classified section of a newspaper. At minimum, such transactions should always take place in a well-lit, public place and, if possible, those involved should “bring another person with them.” Ideally, conduct transactions during the day.
Moreover, police advise citizens who solicit any type of service through an online marketplace like Craigslist to thoroughly research the business or service to ensure it is legitimate and not fraudulent.
Remember to trust your instincts; if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Do not meet in a secluded area and be extra cautious when buying or selling high-value items.
Police Dept Surveillance Camera Program
The Harwood Heights Police Department would like your help solving crime. We have implemented a new, voluntary program and would like to partner with residents or businesses that have surveillance cameras and would like to help. With camera systems becoming more and more prevalent, they are asking Harwood Heights residents and businesses that would like to make the Police Department aware of their surveillance systems to sign up to help expedite the investigation and catch criminals. For more information and/or to sign up, click here.
Neighborhood Watch
We all depend on each other to help protect our neighborhood. We, as the police, cannot be everywhere at once and we depend on the citizens to help us with reporting suspicious behavior. One way to accomplish this is by our Neighborhood Watch Program. As part of our Community Orientated Policing Program we supply information on how to set up a watch program along with what to look for and how to report any suspicious persons or activity.
Project ID
One of the best ways to protect your household property is to mark it with an identification number specific to you such as your Driver's License number or Social Security number. Items that are marked like this are less likely to be stolen in the first place and in the event they are, the ID number serves as proof of ownership if they are recovered. Unless the victim can positively identify their property it may not be able to be returned.
In order to help you properly identify your property we will lend to any resident of Harwood Heights an engraver as well as instructions and tips on its use. All you need do is stop by our station to pick up the engraver.
D.A.R.E.
To learn all about our program, visit our D.A.R.E. page by clicking here.
McGruff House
A McGruff House is a temporary haven for children who find themselves in frightening or dangerous situations. Having a McGruff House in the neighborhood indicates someone is watching out for its children. After filling out an application, the resident is provided with a large sign to place in a window so the child knows where they can go for help.
Toys For Tots
Each year in November in conjunction with the United States Marine Corps our department collects toys for needy children. All those who wish to contribute can drop a new unwrapped toy at our department. Help join us in making Christmas just a little bit brighter for the kids who need it the most.
Home & Business Security Inspections
One of the best ways to stop crime is to prevent it from happening in the first place. In order to help reduce the chances of your home or business being broken into we offer a security inspection to residents and businesses within Harwood Heights free of charge. During this inspection an officer will accompany you pointing out different ways you can make you house or business safer and more secure. The officer will also be able to answer any questions you may have about crime prevention or the Police Department in general.