Assuring our Community's Safety Throughout the years, maintaining a professionally trained and staffed Police and Fire Department has received top consideration by the Mayor and City Council. The intent has been, and continues to be, to protect Waukegan residents and visitors and to assure them speedy and professional service whenever needed.
Emergency service dispatching is handled by the Police Department’s Communications Division. These professionals are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Emergency police, fire and paramedic calls can be placed by calling 911. Non-emergency calls for police can be placed by calling 360-9000. Non-emergency calls for fire can be placed by calling 249-5410.
Police Department Crime prevention has been an ongoing effort of the police department.
The following is a partial listing of special Police Department programs and services.Neighborhood Watch Program
A program designed to unite neighbors and police and to teach neighbors how to detect suspicious behavior and how to report it. By means of Neighborhood Watch Programs citizens learn how to secure their homes and make their neighborhood a safer place in which to live. If you would like to start a Neighborhood Watch group in your area, call the program coordinator at (847) 599-2586.Vacation House Watch
A program designed to protect the homes of citizens while they are on vacation. If you plan to be away and wish to have your house watched and checked, come to the Police Department and fill out a vacation card at least three days prior to leaving. While you are away, a police officer will check your home everyday.Home Safety Survey
A program designed to show citizens how to make their homes safe from intruders and fire hazards. Scheduled by appointment, the Waukegan Police Crime Prevention Officer and members of the Waukegan Fire Department will come to your home, survey it with you and recommend improvements you can do to make your home safer for you and your family. To schedule an appointment, call (847) 599-2583.Community Policing
The Waukegan Police Department is extremely committed to maintaining the high quality of life within the city. While they use a number of methods to police the community, one of their most important strategies includes Community Policing. This initiative focuses on crime prevention and addressing the root causes of crime in particular neighborhoods. It also encourages the police and community to work closely together in new ways to solve the fear and crime problems, social disorder and neighborhood decay. In order to be successful, however, the twelve assigned Waukegan Community Policing Officers need your support and assistance. The Police Department is convinced that by working together with the citizens, this program will be successful and rewarding to our city. If you would like to get more information about Community Policing, call the Community Service Department at (847) 599-2585.Citizen Police Academy
The Citizen Police Academy is a 30 hour block of instruction designed to give the public a working knowledge of the practices, policies and procedures governing the Waukegan Police Department. It consists of ten, three hour sessions conducted on a weekly basis. The comprehensive instruction covers different areas routinely addressed by local law enforcement. The sessions have been designed to incorporate an interactive format, providing the participants with a "hands on" experience whenever practical. For more information regarding this program, call the Community Service Department at (847) 599-2585.Child Identification Program
Upon request, the I-Search Unit goes to hospitals, schools, safety fairs, and other settings for the purpose of taking pictures and fingerprints of a child in case these should be needed at a later date. Done with the consent of a parent, these materials along with safety literature are given to the parent for updating and safekeeping.Landlord Training Program
The Waukegan Police Department periodically conducts the "Landlord Training Program" which is a seminar concerning residential property management. The seminar is presented by the Waukegan Police Community Service Division and covers various topics important to any person that owns a rental property in Lake County. Any one interested in attending an upcoming session should contact the Waukegan Police Department's Community Service Division at (847) 599-2585. This seminar is provided free to the public.CHECK OUT THE WAUKEGAN POLICE FOP LODGE #5 WEB SITE - www.waukeganfop.org
