Safety & Security in Red Gate Ridge Please look out for one another in Red Gate Ridge by following the Posted Speed Limit, Being aware of suspicious activity, and informing and reporting solicitors. As RGR does not have sidewalks, our residents use the streets for walking, bicycling, etc., Please Slow Down and Observe the Speed Limit in RGR, as your neighbors are using the streets. Additionally, Crime is very rare in RGR, and our goal is to keep it that way, so please be aware of anyone or thing that appears to be out of place. Speed Limit The Speed Limit in Red Gate Ridge is 25 MPH As RGR does not have sidewalks, our walkers, bicyclists, etc., use the streets, so Please Observe the Speed Limit in RGR. Neighborhood Watch We ask that residents be aware of any suspicious activity and watch out for one another in Red Gate Ridge. Soliciting Not Allowed Soliciting is not allowed in Red Gate Ridge, and Signs are posted at our entrances. Please inform anyone trying to solicit, that it is not allowed. If they persist, please call and report them to the Kane County Sherriff's office using the non-emergency number. RGR Kane County Sheriff's Police Neighborhood Watch Meeting Notes & Tips Identity Theft: There is an increasing risk of "identity theft" this last year in our area. Credit card and / or banking information is being stolen at an astonishing rate. After notifying your credit card company and / or banking institution contact the Kane County Sheriff's Dept. You can call 911 or contact Detective Salvador Rodriguez at (630) 208-2030. He may need information from the card company or bank so it will be easier for him to get that info from you instead of him going through the process of obtaining records via a court order. He will assist you through the process of helping identify the thieves. This can get complicated since most thefts are across state lines or in some cases from other countries. The Sheriff's Dept. will contact other state police enforcement agencies to help solve the crimes. Home Invasions / Robberies: This is an ongoing problem in Kane County. Most robberies in our area are from 10am - 11am and from 1pm - 3pm during the week. They anticipate that no one is home during the day. Make sure that your home is secure before going to work or going out for the day. They will usually knock on the front door to see if anyone is home. If there is no answer, they will break thru the door or break a window to gain access. The thieves are getting younger by police accounts; ages 13-15. Grandparent's Game: This is a recent scam. A person will receive a phone call at home (usually an elderly person) in the early morning to try (and most cases do) to convince the person that they are a relative (grandchild in many cases) in need of cash because they have been arrested or have had an "accident", or are in "trouble" in a foreign country or they claim that they need cash to get out of jail, pay for a lawyer, replace personal items stolen from their hotel, etc. The police said that people are getting scammed at a rate of one a week just in Kane County. They wire large sums of money to the scammers. As much as $14,000 was wired last week by an elderly woman. (I read in the Daily Herald Newspaper on 3/13 that a woman in St. Charles was scammed out of $7,000 by someone claiming to be a relative needing money because they were arrested in Peru). Inform your elderly family members to call family first before wiring money to anyone. The scammers can make the "caller I.D." look like any phone number that they want, so don't rely on that for recognizing who may be calling you. (victim's are selected from Face book, newspaper articles such as wedding anniversary announcements, obituaries) This is a growing problem. Gypsy Contractors: In the spring & summer it is not unusual that someone will come to your home claiming that they are a contractor (painting, driveway sealer, plumber). They will tell you that they are painting your neighbors house & will give you a great deal on painting your home; or they will seal your driveway for a cheap price since they are in the area or that they want to check your basement for water problems, etc. Do not let them inside or do any work on your house before talking to your neighbor or checking them out; it is probably a scam. They will use inferior paint (or even whitewash), or oil instead of driveway sealer. There have been cases that someone may even attempt to gain access to the inside of your home to rob you. They will try to get your attention in the front of the house while one of their partners will gain access in the back. Do not let them in your home unless you have checked that are legitimate contractors. Reminders: Vacations: If you are planning on being away from home for a week or more, go to the Kane County Sheriff's Website (http://www.kanesheriff.com) and log onto their watch program. While you are away they will check your home daily (perimeter check) to verify that the premises is secure. Let them know about who to contact when you are away (preferably a neighbor). Let them know who is the "key holder"; and / or who is assigned to watch the house; license plate numbers of who is watching house or may be parked there. Make sure that you have multiple lights (and on / off settings on the timers) set up to show activity in the home. Mail: Do not place outgoing mail in your mailbox & leave the flag up. People are stealing mail to obtain identity information. Drop your mail at a mail depository or the Post Office. RGR Kane County Sheriff's Department Tips to prevent or deter residential burglaries ( Please follow these tips! ) Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened. An open window or door is an open invitation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one inch throw and reinforced strike plate with three inch screws. All windows should have window locks. Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track. Always lock the door to an attached garage. Don't rely on your automatic garage door opener for security. Create the illusion that you are home. by using timers on lights, radios and TV's. Making your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, will deter criminals. Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-effective way to discourage intruders, as well as highlight a house. Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are present. Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal, everyday appearance in your residence. Never leave a message on your telephone answering machine telling people that you are away from home. A message that you will return at a certain time leaves your home vulnerable in the interim. Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a window or door.