Three residents in Darien have reported suspicious phone calls reportedly from the Federal Crime Enforcement Division.

On October 10th, a resident received a call from a male who identified himself as Officer Jack Brown from the Federal Bureau of Crime Investigation. The caller spoke in a mid-eastern accent. The caller told the resident that he was involved in a crime and when questioned, could only say that it was credit fraud, but could not provide details. The caller demanded credit card information from the resident, which was not provided. The caller then threatened the resident with arrest by the Darien Police. The resident hung up.

On October 11th, another resident received a voicemail from a male who also identified himself from the Federal Enforcement reporting that the male homeowner was being charged with "something" and to call back. The resident did not return the phone call.

On October 13th, a resident received a message on their answering machine from a male with a mid-eastern accent. The caller identified himself as Officer Roger Dixon advising that a federal complaint was filed against the residents' husband. The resident attempted to call back but did not speak with anyone.

These calls are scams to obtain money or credit card information. We remind residents to never give out personal information over the phone to anyone who calls unsolicited. Do not fear the threats of arrest. Legitimate police investigations do not demand money over phone or threats of arrest. Just hang up on the caller. Report these incidents to the Darien Police.

Residents can also check the phone number of the caller on the Internet. In the cases where residents had phone numbers on caller ID, there were reports on the Internet of phone scams associated with the phone numbers.

The Darien Police are also asking that resident talk to their neighbors and other elderly residents about these scams. These residents may not have access to the Darien Patch, Cable channel or city web site.

The last brush pickup for 2013 begins this Monday, October 21.

The City of Darien is pleased to be able to offer FREE BRUSH PICKUP for all residents within city boundaries.  To help keep the streets clean and our crews on schedule, please stack the brush neatly by the curb on the Sunday before the pickup week.  The chipper can accept brush up to 6" in diameter.  Please do not tie the brush or put it in garbage cans.  All other yard waste such as grass clippings and flowers should be disposed of through our yard waste program with Veolia Environmental Services.

All brush needs to be out by no later than the Sunday night prior to the designated pick up week. The chipping crew will make only one pass and may complete your street as soon as Monday morning 

If you are unable to locate a landscape contractor to help with your brush, please call Ashley in Municipal Services at 630-353-8105 for a list of companies that have done work in Darien.

The City of Darien Free Fall Leaf Pickup began on October 7, and runs thru November 29, on your normal garbage day.   Leaves should be placed in brown kraft yard waste bags or in plastic garbage cans.  If garbage cans are used they must have a permanent "YARD WASTE ONLY" label attached to the front of the can so the driver can identify it as leaf pickup.  These labels are available free of charge at city hall.  Residents are not permitted to rake leaves into the street. Raking leaves into the street can cause serious local flooding for you and your neighbors. For more information please call 630-852-5000.