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Crime Prevention
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Program provides community members, organizations, and businesses resources to prevent and reduce crime and victimization through a wide-variety of community policing, crime prevention, and public education programs. It is the goal of the crime prevention program to partner with citizens in promoting safe communities and engaged citizens.
Our Crime Prevention program offers the following services to our citizens. To request information on one of these services, please complete the Crime Prevention Request form.
COVID-19 business checks
Vacation home checks
if you are leaving your home for a vacation or other extended period of time and would like us to check on your premises, completed a vacation check request form.
Speed trailer request
If you have a concern about vehicle speed in your neighborhood, we can deploy a mobile speed detection device to your area of concern, complete a speed trailer request form. A deputy will contact you.
Home and business premise survey
Key holder information for businesses
Crime Prevention education presentations
Neighborhood Watch formation assistance
Child safety seat installation instruction
Life-File for Children including fingerprinting
Crime and Concern Tip-line
Washington County in cooperation with the Minnesota Crime Preventions Association, provides information on the following crime prevention tips:
- Burglary Prevention Tips at open and close of business
- Charity Scams Prevention
- Home Safety and Security
- Identity Theft Prevention
- Office Security and Workplace Violence
- Personal Safety
- Senior Safety
- Stopping for Emergency Vehicles
- Vacation Checks
- Youth Online Safety
- Theft from Auto
If you are interested in receiving information on any of the topics listed, complete the online request form and mail or email it to the Crime Prevention unit or call our non-emergency number 651-439-9381.
Vehicle Break-Ins
Theft from motor vehicle / vehicle break-in involves the theft of items from a motor vehicle.
It often occurs in driveways, garages, or parking lots.
Thieves will gain entry from an unlocked door or open window. They will also break windows and/or punch locks to take items in plain view or thought to be hidden by the owner.
Common items taken include, but are not limited to: purses, wallets, brief cases, cash, compact discs, iPods, cell phones, stereos, radar detectors, GPS systems, gym bag, sunglasses, and tools.
Preventing Theft from Auto
- take all of your valuables with you. If you must leave them, do not put them in plain view for thieves. Place them in the locked trunk before reaching your destination
- do not leave your keys inside your vehicle
- lock your vehicle
- park in a well lit area
- report suspicious activity
- keep your VIN (vehicle identification number) and serial numbers for electronics (iPod, GPS, etc.) in a safe place so you can give it to officers if items are stolen
- use anti-theft devices and/or set your vehicle alarm