Bicycle Safety
The topic of bicycle safety is
addressed each year by the Police Department to the local schools. A
program on safety awareness is presented in the school as well as
providing literature on the safety issues concerning bicycling.
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Child Passenger Safety
Checks
There are two department members
who have been certified as child safety seat technicians. There
were several child restraint checkpoints throughout DuPage County that were
attended by our certified
child seat technicians. They also conducted child seat restraint
inspections at the police department itself. In the last couple of
years, our technicians have also attended the Chicago Auto Show as part
of the DriveSafe Chicago booth to promote child passenger safety.
If you are a Village resident and
wish to have your child safety seat inspected and installed properly,
please contact the Willowbrook Police Department at 630-325-2808, Monday
- Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to schedule an appointment.
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Community
Representative Program
This program enables
representatives of the various subdivisions of the Village to meet with
police officials to discuss their concerns at least once a year.
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CrimeStoppers
This program offers rewards for
information on crimes. Callers can give their name or remain anonymous.
If you have information pertaining to a crime, call the DuPage County
Area CrimeStoppers at 1-800-424-9119. Additional information can
be obtained through
CrimeStoppers.
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Emergency Information Response Cards
The Willowbrook Police
Department's dispatching service, Southwest Central Dispatch, has
immediate access to a resident's emergency information when the resident
dials 9-1-1 through the use of computer-aided dispatch. This card has
vital information that is provided to the dispatcher such as name,
address, emergency contacts, and if any special needs individuals reside
in the home. Special needs being hearing, speech, mentally or visually
impaired, or wheelchair/bed confined. Approximately 500 residents have
submitted these cards. If a resident wishes more information about this
program, click
here or contact the Willowbrook Police
Department at 630-325-2808.
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This program has officers and
cadets walking the neighborhoods of the Village passing out
glow-in-the-dark necklaces to trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. The
necklaces allow drivers to see the children easier and creates a
positive interaction between the officers and the community. Members of
the Willowbrook Police Department pass out over 1,000 necklaces every
year.
Since this program's inception, a
number of other municipalities have copied the program. It has
been very successful and citizens' support and comments from the parents
have always been positive.
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M.A.D.D. Red Ribbon Program
This program provides information
to the public about alcohol and drug abuse while driving. The red
ribbons symbolize the support for the use of a designated driver. All
supplies and information is donated.
Additional information about Mothers
Against Drunk Driving can be obtained through M.A.D.D.
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National Night Out
This campaign is a nationally
sponsored program by the National Association of Townwatch. Citizens are
requested to turn on the outside lights of their residences on a
specific day of the year to show their support for crime prevention
programs and activities. Additionally, officers and members of the
Department walk the neighborhoods to speak with citizens about crime
prevention, soliciting concerns, and attempt to gain a cooperative
attitude between the police and the community.
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Neighborhood Watch Program
Neighborhood Watch is one of the most
effective tools in preventing crime. This program consists of a
cooperative effort between the Department and a group of
citizens to discuss and act on specific crime situations in
their area. A number of areas have recently formed Neighborhood
Watch Groups within the Village of Willowbrook. The Department's
Crime Prevention Unit has presented programs such as Auto Theft
Prevention, Con Games, Home Inventory, and Home Security to
these groups. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the
Crime Prevention Unit at 630-325-2808.
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Operation Buckle Down
This program provides information
to the public about seat belt use and the laws. The State of Illinois
provides information and supplies at no cost. If you would like more
information, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 630-325-2808.
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Operation Identification
A program which calls for the
voluntary joint participation of residents and the police agency in
identifying, marking, and listing items of property. This effort acts as
a direct deterrent to theft. The police department has an electronic
inscriber available for loan to residents who wish to mark their
valuables. There is no charge for this service.
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Operation Teddy Bear
The program centers around helping
young children who have been exposed to or involved in a traumatic
incident involving police intervention. Ex: Domestic disputes, accidents
involving injury. Children are given a teddy bear to keep, to help the
officer form a bond with the child and also console the child. Teddy
bears are donated by a private citizen.
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Residential Security Survey
The security survey is a tool by
which law enforcement officers can inform residents of particular areas
in which their home is susceptible to criminal victimization together
with steps that can be taken to reduce and minimize that potential. The
survey consists of an on-site examination of the residence. If you would
like a representative from the Crime Prevention Unit to come to your
home, call the police department at 630-325-2808.
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Selected Business Surveys
Based on crime analysis data or
perceptions of crime, a Crime Prevention officer is assigned to conduct
a survey to selected businesses. The Crime Prevention officer will make
suggestions to the owners or managers in security measures and crime
prevention techniques. If necessary, the Crime Prevention officer will
forward information to the Administrative Commander on policy changes or
equipment necessary to meet the needs of the community.
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Senior Willowbrook Adults
Connected
The Village of Willowbrook's Police
Department and Parks and Recreation Department have joined together to
establish a senior citizens forum. Senior Willowbrook Adults Connected (S.W.A.C.)
was formed to allow seniors to discuss issues that are important in
their lives. Informative presentations were given on topics by the
Downers Grove Township Office, Tri State Fire Protection District, and
AARP, to list a few. The topics ranged from home inspections and injury prevention to
legal services. The seniors are very grateful for our interest and time
that we dedicate to them. As in past years, the seniors were also given
a presentation by the Gower West students at their Christmas program.
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Station Tours
This program helps to familiarize residents of the
community with the Willowbrook Police Department and its facility. Tours
are given on an individual basis, group tours and other organizations.
Groups have included the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of American
and the Ray Graham Hanson Center in Burr Ridge. To set up a tour, call
the Willowbrook Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at 630-325-2808.
There is no charge for this service.
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Vacation Watch
This program allows residents to
enjoy worry free vacations, knowing that their homes are being checked
regularly by their police department. Available for use in conjunction
with the program are Lamp and Appliance Timers. If you would like to
place your home on Vacation Watch, call the police department at
630-325-2808.
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Victim/Witness Program
This program provides information
and services to victims or witnesses of serious crimes. This past year,
services have been provided to victims of domestic violence, property
crimes, and crime against persons. Information concerning court dates,
victim's rights, and other victim needs are addressed by the responding
officers.
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Youth Photo Identification Program
The photo identification program
was developed in May of 1990 in response to a traffic accident involving
a young child who was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing a
major roadway within the Village and the inability to identify the child
due to lack of identification.
As a result of this tragic event,
a recommendation was made by a Department employee that, as a part of a
State of Illinois Grant, the Department could provide some sort of
identification card for children and teens that were not old enough to
obtain other forms of identification.
This program involves the
photographing of youths, attaching the photograph to an
identification card, and then giving the I.D. card to the youth
or a responsible guardian. I.D. cards were distributed at
various events throughout the year, including the Tri-State Fire
Protection District's Open House, the Pleasantview Fire
Protection District's Open House, and the Willowbrook/Burr Ridge
Chamber of Commerce Christmas Walk.
