Village of Westmont
Date Issued: Dec. 9, 2015
During the holiday season and at all times, the Police Dept. encourages citizens to report suspicious behavior, IMMEDIATELY. If you see something out of the ordinary, or an actual crime in progress - DO NOT HESITATE - Call 9-1-1.
“We want people to keep this simple phrase in mind,” says Westmont Chief of Police Tom Mulhearn. “If you see something, say something. This mantra has been adopted by the Office of Homeland Security and the goal is to encourage everyone to be vigilant at all times when it comes to safety and reporting suspicious behavior. If everyone is working together to keep our community safe, then we can help reduce crime overall. This simple reminder may prevent someone from becoming a victim of a crime.”
Too often, citizens will be hesitant to report a potential criminal situation, and that lack of action actually enhances the criminal’s success. Mulhearn says, “If something seems out of the ordinary, then call 9-1-1 so that Police can respond and determine the specifics of a situation. The Police Department relies on our citizens to help with being the eyes and ears of the community.”
Situations deserving a 9-1-1 call include a stranger coming to your house to promote or sell something without a solicitor’s permit, unfamiliar persons or vehicles surveying your neighborhood, graffiti, open and unattended garage doors, and more.
SCHOOL SAFETY
It is always important for everyone to pay attention to and be aware of their surroundings, especially in regard to safety of our students. Parents and children need to communicate expectations clearly regarding safe routes to and from school. Our children need to be taught the SEE SOMETHING-SAY SOMETHING slogan. If they see a suspicious person and activity, they need to tell their teachers and parents immediately, and adults need to take action and pass on this information to the Police.
9-1-1 CALLS FROM CELL PHONES
If you call 9-1-1 from your cell phone, your call may be answered by the local Sheriff's Department. Immediately tell the dispatcher the name of the town from where you are calling and give them the location of the crime - they will connect you to the appropriate operations center to address your call.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
When reporting a crime, try to remember key information that will be important to the dispatcher, such as: location of the incident (address), is an ambulance needed, has a gun been fired or has there been a use of a weapon, complete description of person being reported including gender, approximate age, approximate height, approximate weight, facial features, description of clothing, etc. If a car is involved, the make, model, license plate, and last known direction of travel is helpful.
NON-EMERGENCY CALLS
The main number for the Westmont Police Department is 630-981-6300. This number is staffed Monday through Friday during business hours. If you need to contact the Police Department with a non-emergency call after business hours, dial 630-981-6300 and hit pound and you will be forwarded to the non-emergency call dispatch center.
CRIME TIP LINE
The Westmont Police Department also has a non-emergency crime tip line in which a caller can leave a message and provide information for follow up by the department. That number is 630-981-6310. Additionally, residents can send information via email to chiefofpolice@westmont.il.gov . This address is monitored by staff and we will look into any information we receive.
Again, when you see something suspicious, please help us protect our community: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Communications Director
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
