Is identity theft a big problem?

Yes. Identify theft continues to be one of the largest crime categories in the United States. Identity theft can have devastating consequences for the victim, who may face long hours closing bad accounts, opening new ones, and repairing damaged credit records. Many incidents of identity theft are not preventable as they involve large data breaches by businesses and organizations holding personal data and credit information. However, there are some cases where one’s information may be safeguarded here at home. To help protect against identity theft:

• Lock your financial documents and records in a safe place at home and lock your wallet or purse in a safe place at work. Keep your information secure from workers and contractors.
• Before you share information at your workplace, a business, your child’s school, or a doctor’s office, ask why they need it, how they will safeguard it, and the consequences of not sharing it.
• Avoid posting personally identifiable information on social media and other easily accessible sites (e.g. do not put full dates of birth in your Facebook profile.)
• Destroy receipts, credit offers, credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks, bank statements, expired credit cards, and similar documents when no longer needed using a micro-cutter shredder.
• Take outgoing mail to the post office and place mail in the drop off stations inside the post office. Promptly remove mail that arrives in your mailbox. If you won’t be home for several days, request a vacation hold on your mail.
• If you are a victim, or suspect you are a victim of identity theft, contact the Oakwood Safety Department as soon as possible to make a police report.

Electric Scooters on Public Streets and Sidewalks

The Oakwood Public Safety Department reminds residents of the rules for the safe operation of electric scooters on public streets and sidewalks. Although they are legal on both, different rules apply.

When used on sidewalks, electric scooters are subject to the same requirements that apply to bicycles. This means that scooter operators must always yield the right of way to pedestrians on foot. Reckless operation – which includes erratic riding, hand-held cell phone use or other distracted riding, unsafe speeds, or other careless behavior – is prohibited. When crossing a street, riders should cross with the appropriate light or walk/don’t walk signal if one is present. Otherwise, they have the right of way as long as they are in a crosswalk and exercise due caution not to enter the street in front of oncoming traffic.

When used in the streets, the law treats electric scooters the same as a jogger or pedestrian using the street. This means users must ride on the left side of the road to ensure that they can see oncoming vehicular traffic. In addition, while scooters are permitted on most residential streets, they are prohibited on busier thoroughfares including Far Hills Avenue, Shroyer Road, Patterson Road, West Schantz Avenue, and Oakwood Avenue (between Far Hills and Irving Avenues.)

Prescription Drug Drop-off Box

A locked prescription drug drop-off box is available in the lobby entrance of the city building at 30 Park Avenue. This drop box offers residents a convenient way to dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs and is accessible to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The items that are acceptable for safe disposal include prescription medications, medication patches, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, medication samples, and medications for pets. Items that cannot be accepted include liquids of any kind, gels, ointments, needles, inhalers, aerosol cans, and medications from businesses or clinics. This program is not designed for commercial use. Businesses should dispose of medications according to state and federal guidelines. All items collected from the drop box are processed for destruction according to state and federal law.

Who investigates serious crimes that occur in Oakwood, and what can citizens do to avoid becoming victims?

Our Oakwood Public Safety Department differentiates itself from most police departments in that we investigate every reported crime in Oakwood. Serious crimes are investigated by our criminal investigations section and our crew PSOs investigate minor crimes. Oakwood has one experienced investigator assigned to handle the larger and more complex cases. Additional safety officers periodically assist the primary investigator in the handling of criminal investigations. Fortunately, Oakwood has very few violent crimes. Most of our Part I Crimes are property crimes, which include thefts from vehicles.

Law enforcement alone cannot prevent or solve crimes after they occur. To help citizens avoid becoming victims, the department needs every resident to be vigilant and report suspicious persons, activity, and circumstances. Whenever in doubt, call the Safety Department. We encourage citizens to get to know their neighbors and look out for their neighborhood. Watch your neighbor’s property when they are away on business or vacation. Use lights inside and outside of your home and consider removing large bushes and shrubs from your exterior that may conceal would-be thieves. If you have an alarm system and/or security camera, use them and register them with the Safety Department. Always remove valuables from your vehicles, park in well-lit areas if possible, and always lock your car doors.

How many investigated crimes are solved?

As shown in the table below, the department “cleared” an average of approximately 55% of all larcenies reported from 2020 through 2024. Oakwood Public Safety Department investigators are more successful than the national average, which is only approximately 22%.

Under FBI reporting guidelines, “Clearance” means that the case is no longer under investigation because 1) an arrest has been made, 2) the case is exceptionally cleared, or 3) the case was unfounded. Clearance of a crime for reporting purposes does not necessarily mean that an arrest was made or a suspect was identified. In certain situations, elements beyond law enforcement’s control prevent the agency from arresting and formally charging the offender. When this occurs, the agency can clear the offense “exceptionally.”

Larcenies, especially thefts from vehicles and bicycle thefts, can be difficult to clear. Residents can prevent many of the larcenies in our community by doing the following:

• Locking garages.
• Locking vehicles and removing items of value from vehicles.
• Obtaining bike licenses from the Safety Department and securing bicycles in garages.
• Immediately reporting any suspicious activity to the Safety Department.