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More than any other time of the year, the holidays see the most dramatic increase in crime. People are traveling, people are away from home and the movement of money and goods is more intense than at any other time. And although a lot of the criminal activity that takes place during the holiday season is calculated, a lot is also random ~ a criminal will see an opportunity and seize upon it. The wise thing to do, then, is to minimize a criminal’s opportunity.
There are a number of things you can do to help ensure your holidays are safe, pleasant and memorable. I am going to reiterate what most of you probably already know, but with the holiday season coming up, I hope this ounce of prevention will help you avoid the pound of cure later.
One of the most important safety tools you have at your disposal is your cell phone. Always carry it with you. In an emergency situation, your cell phone can serve as your life line.
If you do your holiday shopping after daylight hours, park your car in a well lit area. Become more aware of your surroundings, including people. If someone in a store or parking lot seems suspicious or makes you uncomfortable, notify security or call the police. Better to be safe than sorry. If you feel something isn’t quite right, it probably isn’t. Learn to trust your instincts.
If your children become separated from you while shopping, teach them to seek out a sales clerk or law enforcement personnel and ask for help locating you. Children should never go into a parking lot by themselves for several reasons ~ the possibility of abduction is a concern, but also the height of a child makes them difficult to be seen by people who are driving through the parking lot. Keep a close eye on your children.
Do not leave valuables or Christmas gifts in your car where they are visible. If you must store packages in your car, put them in the trunk where they will be out of sight. But look around first and make sure no one is watching you. Always lock your car doors and windows, even if you are planning to be gone for only a few minutes. When returning to your car, have your car keys ready and in hand. Also, glance in the backseat and floorboard of your car before you unlock the door and get in because abductors and thieves have been known to hide there and await a driver’s return.
Try not to carry cash in your wallet. Place it in an inside jacket pocket. Do not carry more credit cards than you plan on using, and do not place them in your wallet either. Do not keep your cash and credit cards in a back pack, as this is an easy target for pickpockets. Be very careful of your credit card numbers and other personal information. Be careful to dispose of receipts or any other paper that has your credit card or PIN numbers on them. Carry your purse close to your side with the opening or flap towards your body. If your purse has a strap, considering wearing the strap across your chest as thieves prefer purses they can easily grab and run with. Keep your purse zipped up or otherwise fastened, and never leave it unattended in your shopping cart.
Be careful of distractions while in a store, on the street or in a parking lot. Criminals will sometimes create a diversion to draw people’s attention away while an accomplice strikes. One trick criminals use is, one person will pretend to faint or stumble and as you reach out to help them their accomplice snatches your purse, purchases and other valuables.
Some criminals like to ride around after Christmas to see what sort of boxes you place on the curb for trash pick-up. If the boxes contained high-end items, they may return later and break into your home while you are away. It is best to break boxes down that contained computers, TVs, and other expensive items and turn packaging inside out before placing them on the curb.
If you are going to be away for the holidays, do not let your absence be obvious. It is recommended you suspend your newspaper and mail delivery until you return, or have someone collect them while you are away. If possible, keep a second car in the driveway and have the lights in your home set with a timer to turn on and off. If possible, set a radio or TV to a timer as well. Also, you are welcome to contact the BCSO and let us know when you will be gone and when you will be returning. We will schedule extra patrols to your area.
Be wary of strangers who come to your door during the holidays, even if they are wearing the uniform of legitimate courier companies. Criminals have been known to pose as couriers, wearing simulated or stolen uniforms to gain access to your home. Be wary of strangers who are going door-to-door soliciting charitable donations, especially if you have never heard of the charity. In fact, be wary of any unsolicited visitors who show up at your door. You are under no obligation to give money to anyone you don’t know, either in person, over the phone or via email. Never give personal information to anyone that solicits it. Reputable businesses will not solicit personal information by mail or telephone unless you have contacted them and requested a service. There are many local charitable organizations that are legitimate and reputable, and they will be happy to tell you exactly how your donation will be used. And, again, never give your personal information to strangers.
Remember, in most cases during a theft or robbery it is probably best to let the thief or robber have what they want and concentrate on being a good witness so that law enforcement can follow up, find and arrest the crook. However, you always have the right to defend and protect yourself and your family if you reasonably believe your life or your family’s lives are in immediate danger of death or serious bodily injury. Should you ever find yourself in such a situation, I and the BCSO stand ready to support you, defend you and back you up in protecting yourself and your family.
Do not be fearful during the holiday season, be smart. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid getting into unsafe situations. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year and other cultural observances should be a time to enjoy family, friends and neighbors. Many people find the holidays a good time to reflect upon and apply the ideals of peace and goodwill. Many find it brings out their charitable nature and they seek out ways of helping those who are less fortunate. Whatever your holiday traditions, enjoy them safely by taking precautions to protect your home and family.
If you would like to reach the administrative office of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, call (423) 728-7300. You can also write to us at the Justice Center, or visit in person. We are located at 2290 Blythe Avenue, Cleveland, TN 37311. If you would like to reach me directly, email me: comments@bradleysheriff.com.
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