Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention
Crime Anonymous
Crime Anonymous is designed to encourage the community to help the Police Department solve crimes that have happened within the city of Worthington. After all, the police cannot be everywhere at once. We need your help in order to keep Worthington a safe and enjoyable community. As a citizen, you are able to call 507-376-TIPS (8477) and leave information on an answering machine about a crime that has occurred. You will be allowed to keep your name anonymous. For some crimes, cash rewards are offered for people leaving information that would lead to the prosecution of the suspect. In that case, you are given a specific number and arrangements are made to ensure you remain anonymous.
We need the community's help on any crime you might have information on, however, we are particularly interested in: Burglaries, Criminal Damage to property, Thefts from Vehicles, Vandalism, Drug Trafficking and Assaults. If you think the police might be interested in your information please don't hesitate to call. The answering machine is checked several times a day.
Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch is a program designed to bring a neighborhood together to find ways to solve crime and problems that may be occurring in their neighborhood. Neighborhood Watch is supported by the Worthington Police Department but really takes the effort of the neighborhood to make it effective. After the initial meeting, the neighborhood will be able to decide if the program is something they are interested in continuing. If the neighborhood is interested in continuing, a monthly or bi-monthly meeting will be set up. These meetings will be designed to discuss problems that may be occurring in the neighborhood and will be a time to get to know your neighbors better. The role of Neighborhood Watch is not to assume the role of the police, but it is intended to make you more aware of what to look for and not to hesitate in calling the police.
If you would like more information on the Neighborhood Watch program please contact Officer Brandon Peil at the Worthington Police Department 507-295-5400.
Crime Free Multi-Housing Coalition
The goal of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is to involve both landlord and tenants in keeping their own properties free of illegal activity. In order for rental property to receive certification as a Crime Free Multi-Housing property, the manager must undergo training in crime prevention issues, make necessary physical and environmental changes to property, and involve residents in Neighborhood Watch.
Worthington has an active group of multi-housing managers who meet every other month to discuss issues and work toward certification of their properties in the Minnesota Crime Free Multi-Housing Program.
Please contact Officer Brandon Peil at (507) 295-5400 if you are interested in how to become a certified leasing or rental manager.
Crime Stoppers of Minnesota
If you have information about a crime or about a fugitive avoiding arrest, you can give that information to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, and only the tip information will be shared with the appropriate Police Department, Sheriff's Office or Federal Agency for them to investigate and follow up on.
You can remain anonymous and may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information you provided to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota helps in making an arrest.
For more information on Crime Stoppers go to: http://www.crimestoppersmn.org/howitworks.aspx.
Victim Notification Program
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), is committed to protecting the public and ensuring that the rights of victims are carefully observed. HSI administers the Victim Notification Program which allows eligible victims and witnesses to obtain reliable and timely information regarding a criminal alien's release from custody. However, victims and witnesses are required to register with their agency in order to receive notification of a criminal alient's release. Please go to http://www.ice.gov/victim-notification/ for more information and to register.