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Crime Prevention

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Help Us Help You

Through the years Bargersville has maintained a reputation of a growing hometown community.  It is a community that attracts many different types of people who preserve hometown values and respect for one another.  In order for us to continue to in this same fashion law abiding citizens are always needed to be watchful in their own neighborhoods.  If ever you should encounter suspicious activity please call the Johnson County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center at (317) 736-5155.

To better assist the Dispatch Center, please remember to obtain as much information as possible such as (but not limited to):

  • Description of suspect(s): Age, sex, race, height, weight, scars, unique characteristics, and articles of clothing.
  • Description of vehicles: License plate number, make, model, color, or any identifying features such as modifications, dents, or rust.
  • Travel Direction:  Notice what direction they went when they left your property.  Were they on foot or in a vehicle?  Were there any other person’s in the vehicle?
  • If they have left anything or damaged anything in the process, leave things as they are until an officer arrives.


Domestic Violence

Hopefully you will never need to access services in regards to a domestic violence issue, but if you find you or another resident in a domestic violence situation please know we are here to help.  Bargersville Police Department holds a zero tolerance for domestic violence.  In addition, Turning Point domestic Violence Services offer support for victims of domestic violence and their families.  They provide legal advocacy, support groups, safety planning, and case management services.

Other sources for assistance:

  • Indiana Legal Services              632-5764
  • Child Protective Services           738-0650
  • Turning Point Local Office         736-8666
  • Turning Point Domestic

 Violence Crisis Line                   800-221-6311

Solicitation

Bargersville does not require a vendor to hold a permit to solicit door-to-door.  We do ask that each solicitor check in with our department and provide the following information:

  • Date(s) and time(s) of soliciting activity.
  • Copy of the solicitor(s) valid driver’s license and appropriate identification of any other persons accompanying the solicitor.
  • License plate number and description of vehicle(s) used.

If you are a resident of the town and wish to inquire about a solicitor or report suspicious activity please contact our office Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30 p.m.  (317) 422-1222.  If it is after the hours listed above, or if no answer, then call (317) 736-5155 and request a Bargersville officer to meet or speak with you.

Helpful Links:
Better Business Bureau for Central Indiana

Home and Neighborhood Safety

HOME AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY

In these times of economic distress, many people are concerned about the threat of rising crime in their communities. Fortunately, there are ways to help protect your home and your neighborhood from crime. From simple steps like keeping your doors locked to starting a Neighborhood Watch program, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent crime.
Work with your neighbors to keep your neighborhood clean and orderly. Keep spare keys with a trusted neighbor or nearby shopkeeper, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox. Set timers on lights when you're away from home or your business is closed, so they appear to be occupied. Illuminate or eliminate places an intruder might hide: the spaces between trees or shrubs, stairwells, alleys, hallways, and entry ways. With many law enforcement agencies cutting costs, it has never been more important for citizens to work together to prevent crime.

Check out the following link to rate your own risk for burglary!

Rate Your Risk of Burglary

Identity Theft

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime of the 21st century.  It occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or bank debit card without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. 
Identity theft crosses all social, economic, racial and gender barriers. You or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, make purchases, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.
Identity theft is serious. Electronic technology has made our lives easier but also has made stealing information more convenient for the identity thieves; trading convenience for security may not be the right decision when conducting business.

It is impossible to completely prevent identity theft. Here are a few helpful hints published by the Indiana State Police that can reduce your risk from becoming a victim:

  • Release SSN and birth date only when absolutely necessary. Ask, “Why do you want it and what are you going to do with it”?
  • Do not have SSN printed on checks or your BMV documents including driver’s license or I.D. card.
  • Review SSN benefits statement once a year to check for fraud. If your SSN is fraudulently used, report it to the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800)-269- 0271.
  • Reduce the number of credit cards you use. Cancel all unused accounts and destroy the old cards. Keep a list/photocopy of credit card information, including telephone numbers of customer service departments in a secure location.
  • Cross-shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial documents.
  • Order your FREE credit report once a year from the three credit reporting companies at www.AnnualCreditReport.com Check the report for inaccuracies and fraudulent use of accounts. Equifax (800)-997-2493, Experian (888)-397-3742, and TransUnion (800)-916-8800. Space them out, one every four months.
  • Research installing a “freeze” on you credit reports by visiting the Indiana Attorney General’s web site at www.IndianaConsumer.com
  • Reduce pre-approved credit card applications (888)-567-8688 to remove your name for two years or permanently.
  • Reduce unwanted junk mail; write to Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.
  • Register for Indiana’s Telephone Privacy List (888)-834-9969.
  • When dialing a phone number, your name, address and number may be captured. Dial *67 before your initial call. This is a free service provided by most phone companies and it blocks caller I.D. Put a caller I.D. block on your cell phone.
  • Do not give personal information on cordless or cell phones. Your conversation can be picked up by scanners and baby monitors.
  • Never use SSN, birth dates, or maiden names for PIN codes.
  • Never let credit or debit cards out of your sight or loan them to anyone. Put daily withdrawal limits on your cards. Be cautious of self-serve swipe devices, the magnetic strip information can be pick-up by receiving devices hooked to laptop computers.
  • Encourage businesses to check for I.D. when accepting cashing checks or credit cards and to destroy documents properly.

    If you are a resident of Bargersville and you are a victim, immediately:

    • Print out and complete the Identity Theft Victim’s Packet document DOWNLOAD HERE
    • Obtain a police report, no matter where the crime occurred. (An incident number is needed to proceed.)
    • Call the credit reporting bureaus, banks and creditors to put a “Fraud Alert” on your accounts.
    • Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (877)-ID-THEFT or www.consumer.gov/idtheft for victim assistance and affidavits.
    • Start the recovery process.