PUBLIC SAFETY

The first and best way is to do your part to be the eyes and ears; call 911 if you witness suspicious activity or crime in progress. The 911 system is the first and primary means of requesting police service.

You may also report additional information about a crime or suspicious activity in the neighborhood via the tip line.

To help provide a sufficiently detailed and actionable description, we have provided this Identification Tool. We suggest you review the tool and download it to keep it handy when calling 911.

If you have a person who lives with you and has a disability which may make it difficult for them to communicate with 911, or if you have such a disability, please fill out the attached form and return it to our local police district and email it to the Philadelphia Police Radio Room, so dispatch can become aware of that context. ADA Form

Attend the monthly PSA1 meetings, form a relationship with the commanding officers, learn about local crime patterns, discuss steps you can take, share concerns, and hear about special events and initiatives.  These meetings bring neighbors and other stakeholders together with police officials in order to discuss and attempt to resolve crime and public safety issues in our neighborhood. PSA meetings are usually held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM in the QVNA offices or Santore Public Library (check our newsletter).  They are open to the public.

Ensure your porch lights are in working order, and leave them on for the benefit of yourself and your neighbors.  Energy costs can be reduced by putting lights on a timer, motion sensor, or purchasing “dusk-to-dawn” LEDs.

Please secure belongings in yards, do not keep valuables in plain sight in vehicles, and be sure to lock all doors and windows.  Remove the opportunity and reduce the reward for crime to be committed.

If you have installed a security camera, please take a moment to register it with the city and join the SafeCam network.   Knowing you have a working camera at your address, allows officers to make a request to obtain footage in the event of a nearby crime.  Your camera footage could be instrumental in solving a recent crime or, with your permission, allow for real-time monitoring of events in progress.  Your privacy can be protected.    Own a commercial building or operate a business?  Obtain assistance with up to 50% of the cost the purchase and installation of surveillance cameras, through the Business Security Camera Program.

If you have a burglar alarm, please complete the annual registration with the city.

If you are a victim of graffiti or see graffiti in the neighborhood, take a moment to report it promptly to 311, or via the following link.  The city will send out CLIP to remove it.   Prompt reporting discourages future graffiti incidents.

If you keep a bicycle outdoors, join this Facebook stolen bikes community to learn the best practices for securing it, and help participate in the recovery of stolen bicycles.

Help prevent package theft.  Have packages delivered to a local access point via the UPS MyChoice network (for all UPS packages), Amazon locker (for Amazon purchases), or a local mailbox place like Society Hill Mail (614 S 8th St) or Fishbox (737 Bainbridge St) for all package times.  You may also request ship-to-store with in-store-pick-up option, or make arrangements with neighbors or your place of employment, if possible.

Register your personal property to facilitate identification and recovery.  Securely store serial numbers, item descriptions, pictures, and scans of receipts to easily identify your valuables in the event of theft or loss.