The St. Louis Park Crime Prevention Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation completely supported by voluntary contributions. It supports many community outreach programs, including neighborhood watch, National Night Out, Children First, Cops Connect with Kids Program, summer youth safety camp and Citizens' Police Academy.

It also provides a crime tip line that offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of people who commit crimes. The St. Louis Park crime tip line is 952.924.2165.

Neighborhood Watch is a voluntary program aimed at reducing your likelihood of becoming a crime victim. It works by teaching simple, yet proven crime prevention techniques and by building relationships between neighbors and the St. Louis Park Police Department.

Neighborhood Watch block captains help maintain the safety and well-being of their neighborhood by coordinating neighborhood watch activities for their block.

The St. Louis Park Police Department collaborates with Crime Stoppers of Minnesota to provide multiple ways to share and report crime tips. The nonprofit group is designed to serve as a separate and independent organization from law enforcement for the purpose of gathering information about crimes that may not otherwise be available to authorities but can help to solve crimes. These can be useful in preventing crime and addressing unsolved cases.

Crime Stoppers is:

• Free – there is no cost to share or report information
• Anonymous – will not ask for your name, and conversations are not recorded
• Confidential – does not record phone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses or other information
• Accessible – report information 24 hours a day, seven days a week via phone, text message or online

Contact

For more information, including tip eligibility and rewards (up to $1,000 in some cases), visit Crime Stoppers of Minnesota or call 1.800.222.8477.

Catalytic converters are attractive targets for thieves due to their lack of identifying information and the difficulty in tracking them back to a specific vehicle. In addition, it only takes about 90 seconds for a catalytic converter to be stolen. Thieves then sell the stolen converters to a third party who in turn takes them out of state and mills them for precious metals.

Take these steps to avoid theft

Replacing a catalytic converter can be expensive. Take these steps to prevent theft of your catalytic converter:

• Park your vehicle inside a locked garage. If that’s not possible, park in a well-lit area and near building entrances or any other high-visibility area.
• Calibrate your vehicle alarm to sound when it detects vibration.
• If you see anything suspicious, call 911 right away. The faster you call, the more likely police officers are to catch the thieves.
• Consult with your auto repair facility about engraving your license plate number onto the casing of your vehicle’s catalytic converter. This may deter theft, and in the event the catalytic converter is stolen, it can be tracked back to the vehicle. Be aware of your vehicle’s warranty information before engraving. In St. Louis Park, the following repair shops provide this service:
  • D&D Auto, 8801 Minnetonka Blvd.
  • The Phoenix, 3715 Oregon Ave. S.
  • Automotive Service Co., 5708 W. 35th St.
• Purchase anti-theft equipment such as catalytic converter cages, clamps and/or cables. These devices are readily available online and can be installed to prevent theft.
• If you’re handy, marking a catalytic converter can be a do-it-yourself undertaking. All you need is high-temperature (1,200 – 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) automotive exhaust paint or a quality handheld electric engraver that is suitable for etching metal, as well as a safe way to access the catalytic converter from under your vehicle.

Below are some crime prevention resources from the St. Louis Park Police Department. For additional information, contact the department at 952.924.2661.

Home safety and security

• Home security checklist
• Home security tips
• Preventing garage burglaries
• Questions to ask before buying a home security system

Personal safety and crime prevention

• After school safety
• Back to school safety
• Bike theft prevention
• Child safety
• Mail theft prevention
• Multifamily residential safety tips
• Personal safety
• Preventing identity theft
• Preventing theft from vehicles
• Social networking and internet safety
• Vehicle theft, carjacking prevention

Business crime prevention

• Preventing business burglaries
• Workplace safety and security
• Crime-free multi-housing (Minnesota Crime Prevention Association)
  • The program includes three phases:
    • Phase one — tenant screening, lease addendum, evictions and other topics (eight hours). The city’s rental license training will qualify for phase one training.
    • Phase two — Physical survey of the building to make sure it meets minimum security requirements such as deadbolt locks, 180-degree peep holes, interior and exterior lighting, and other items.
    • Phase three — Crime prevention meeting to show tenants security precautions they can take to protect themselves and their property.

The St. Louis Park Police Department wants residents to be aware of various scams that are designed to swindle money and/or personal information.

Common types of scams

Some of the common scams include:

• Arrest warrant scams
• Business email compromise scams
• Charity scams
• Elder/grandparent fraud scams
• Fake checks
• Imposer fraud
• IRS and government scams
• Lottery scams
• Phishing, spear phishing and email scams
• Romance scams

To learn more about the common scams and what each of them are, visit the consumer financial protection bureau’s website.

This is not an all-inclusive list of scams people fall victim too. Scams and the scammers tactics evolve daily. It is advised you independently verify an offer or request.

If you receive communication of threats; a concerning/emergent situation; promises of goods, prizes or monies; or asking for payment through one of the below methods, it’s a scam. Discontinue contact immediately with the individual.

Common payment methods used by scammers

Common payment methods used by scammers can include:

• Gift cards (most prevalent)
• Wire transfers
• Money orders
• Person-to-person payment services and/or mobile apps
• Cryptocurrency

Business scams

Scams can also be perpetrated by businesses when they offer various products and services. Here are some tips from the police department to avoid being the victim of a scam:

• Do your homework when hiring a contractor, auto repair shop or other service. Contact the Better Business Bureau for information and ask for references from the company or facility representative.
• Talk with family, friends and neighbors about who they recommend for your specific need. Past experience shows this is a good way to locate a reputable contractor and/or repair facility.
• Retain trusted contractor and/or repair facility information for future reference.
• Be aware of door-to-door solicitors and contractors/handymen selling their services. Some may be legit; others may not. Solicitors need to obtain a license to sell door-to-door in the city.
• If unsure about recommended work, get a second opinion from another contractor and/or repair facility. You have that right as a consumer.
• Read through contracts and have the person you are dealing with explain it thoroughly if you do not understand it before signing.
• Never give cash as a down payment or to pay for the completed work. Paying by check or credit card will give you a running record of payment. Be wary of companies who do not accept anything for payment but cash.
• Visit the MN State Attorney General’s Office website and the MN Department of Public Safety website for further information on lottery scams.
• Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What to do if you are a victim of a scam

If you believe you were the victim of a scam, call the police department's non-emergency line at 952.924.2618.

Resources

Use the links below for more information and ways to protect yourself and others from becoming a victim of a scam.

• Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice - Scams
• Do Yourself a Favor: Be Crime Smart (FBI)
• About AARP Fraud Watch Network
• Scams and fraud (USA.gov)