Is Your Home Safe? Police Offering Security Assessment

Chicago police are offering to inspect area residences to tell people how they can make their homes safer. 

The security survey is a preventative approach to home burglaries, said Sgt. Jason Clark with the 19th District of the Chicago Police Department. Clark told residents police were offering the visits at a CAPS meeting for Lincoln Square police beats 1911 and 1912 at Chase Park Tuesday. 

During the visit, he advises residents where to add lighting and timers or how to protect against back door entry. Clark said he's been to several houses, ranging from fortress-like security to ones with unlocked windows. 

Since the beginning of November, residents have reported 13 burglaries in apartments and homes in beats 1911 and 1912. That's 10 more than the area received in November and December in 2011. 

Part of the increase is due to the changes in boundaries, when beat 1911 doubled in size, Clark said. Police have taken three men into custody for burglary in that time. 

Those interested in getting a security survey can email Jason.Clark@Chicagopolice.org. The visits apply to residents in the 19th District, which stretches from Fullerton to Lawrence avenues and from the Chicago River to Lake Michigan.