Or use one of the pay lockers. If you park a bicycle outside in Evanston, be sure you secure it to a bicycle rack with a sturdy lock and chain. Winter coats, hats, and scarves are sometimes stolen from coat racks in libraries or restaurants. If you own expensive winter clothing, you may wish to keep it in your sight in public places. If you take a vacation away from Evanston, make arrangements for a trusted friend to check your home every day.
Many burglaries occur during the academic breaks when thieves notice that no one is at home.
The Post Office will hold your mail while you are away if you go there and sign a form for that purpose. If you own many valuables, buy insurance for your household goods. Like most major urban areas, Evanston is populated by a number of homeless people. You may often see a homeless person or persons sitting or standing outside of shops and restaurants in downtown Evanston and asking pedestrians for money. You should not feel obliged to give any money to these people.