Know Your Neighbors and Report Suspicious Activity
The basic idea is for neighbors to watch out for each other. By looking after a neighbor’s property as if it were your own, you will more likely contact the police if you observe something suspicious. Citizens act as extra “eyes and ears” for the police department so that calls to the police will be made when criminal activity is suspected. An alert and cooperative neighborhood is the greatest single defense against crime. By getting to know your neighbors and their vehicles, you will most likely be alert to suspicious people, vehicles, and/or sounds that could indicate criminal activity.
Non-Emergency Police Telephone Number – 972-424-5678
Additional Information –
Crime Rates:
Crime Watch Updates and Bulletins:
For a listing of Crime Bulletins – by Offense Date, visit Plano Crime Watch Bulletins
Online Citizen Police Reporting System:
The Plano Police Department is offers an online citizen police reporting system that will allow you to submit a report immediately and print a copy of the police report for free.
This web based reporting system will allow the public to file a report for certain incident types (harassment, minor property or identity theft, criminal mischief/vandalism, lost property, delayed hit & run crashes, etc.) over the internet at their convenience, when no emergency exists and immediate investigation by a police officer is not necessary. The department expects this internet based reporting service to be very popular among citizens who have come to expect police services to be provided immediately and conveniently online.
The service will allow the public to file a report at a time that is best for them, without having to wait for an officer to respond or call them back. The citizen will be able to print a temporary copy of the report after submitting it. The report will be reviewed by police personnel and once approved the filing person will receive an email with a copy of the report attached without cost. The report will transfer into the Plano Police Department’s records management system and receive the same investigation and statistical analysis ability as if the report had been filed by a Police Officer.
This web based reporting option will allow officers more time to address community needs while keeping pace with the public expectancy to complete services via the internet.
The Plano Police Department will be using the Desk Officer Online Reporting System from the San Ramon, California based software company Coplogic, Inc. (www.Coplogic.com).
The web based crime reporting service is available at www.planopolice.org.
Tips:
- Keep the garage doors closed if you are not out front or working in the garage. Even if you plan on being in the back yard for a short time, it is best to shut the garage door.
- Lock your fence gate. It seems the entrance of choice for burglaries in many neighborhoods has been the back door. Locking the gate would require one to jump the fence which would arouse suspicion so a locked gate might deter the perpetrator.
- Get to know your neighbors! Inform your neighbors if you will be out of town and the specific dates. Ask them to watch your home and if they notice anyone at your house to phone the police department. Also provide your neighbors with your contact information while you are away so they can reach you if needed. Also ask your neighbors to remove newspapers from your lawn while away. Newspapers left in the driveway indicate you might be out of town.
- Make it a habit of setting your home alarm while you are away — even in the middle of the day. Consider adding glass break sensors to your alarm system for the downstairs windows and doors. Have your alarm system monitored.