HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

VENTANA LAKES BLOCK WATCH

We are asking that all residents of Ventana Lakes support the Ventana Lakes Block Watch Program. By working together as residents with the Peoria Police Department we can help make Ventana Lakes a safer and crime free area in which to live. Here are ways you can support your Block Watch Program:

•  Probably the most important way you can support Block Watch is to get to know your neighbors. Get to know their habits, their comings-and-goings, when they will be out of town, and so on. If you observe anything at a neighbor's residence that appears to be suspicious or of a concern, call that neighbor. They will appreciate your inquiry and knowing their neighbors are watching out for them. If you get no answer call the Peoria Police Department non-emergency number at (623) 773-8311 or the Emergency number 9-1-1 if there is an emergency situation.

•  If you hear any noise that might suggest a break-in in progress at a neighbor's home like breaking glass, alarming shouting, scream for help, and so on call the Peoria Police Department immediately. DO NOT INVESTIGATE the situation yourself. If this is a break-in in progress you could become seriously hurt if you walk-in, so let the police do the investigating.

•  Get the name of your Block Watch Captain. If you do not know the name of your Block Watch Captain contact Bob McDonald. Some areas of Ventana Lakes do not have a Block Watch Captain so if you are interested in becoming a Block Watch Captain contact Bob McDonald. You can also click the link below to volunteer as a Block Watch Captain. If you do not want to be a Block Watch Captain but you do want to help out, you can volunteer as a Co-Captain.

CLICK HERE To Volunteer As A Block Watch Captain or Co-Captain

•  Provide your name, address, and telephone number to your Block Watch Captain. A telephone calling tree or a Block Watch Street Map will be made using this information and the names and phone numbers from your neighbors. This information will be distributed up and down your street so that all residents on a street have the names and phone numbers of neighbors. Use this information to call a neighbor if you suspect something is not right at their home.

•  If you experience any crime, regardless of how small (i.e. A Christmas ornament is stolen out of your front yard) please call the police and file a Police Report. Also please call your Block Watch Captain and let him or her know of the crime so that other Block Watch Captains and residents can be made aware of the crime in our community. Personal information like name, address, and phone number will not be made public. You can also file a Crime Incident Report with Ventana Lakes Block Watch by clicking on the link below or by calling Bob McDonald.

CLICK HERE To Submit A Crime Incident Report

•  Keep your garage door closed when not in your garage. Crimes in Ventana Lakes are by-and-large crimes of opportunity. A potential burglar drives by a home with an open garage door and sees no one around. He spots a great set of golf clubs sitting in the garage. In less then a minute the golf clubs are in his car as he drives out of the community. Theft out of open garage doors is the most frequent crime in Ventana Lakes.

•  If you open your garage door for ventilation, open the door no more then 6 inches. If the door is open high enough a burglar can slip under the door and take his or her time looking around. No one can see them from the street so they don't have to hurry to find what they want. Then they slip back out under the door taking the opportunity to get that five-finger-discount.

•  If you see a neighbor's garage door open late at night it is very possible they forgot to shut it. Please give them a call and let them know their garage door is open.

•  Keep your car parked inside your locked garage. If you must park outside park in your driveway and not in the street, and ALWAYS make sure your car is locked and all windows are fully closed when parking outside. Remove cell phones, garage door openers, and other valuables out of the car. There has been theft's of these items out of automobiles parked outside overnight and left unlocked.

•  Talk to your neighbors about Block Watch. Keep the interest up so that everyone looks out for each other. Don't let neighbors become complacent. We need to take care of each other and watch out for each other if we want to help make Ventana Lakes a crime free place in which to live.