I’ve recently written about ideas to help keep you safe while shopping during the holidays, so I thought I would continue that train of thought and reinforce some holiday crime prevention tips with you.  To most people the Christmas spirit entails one of giving to others, but to criminals out there it is a season of taking from others.  With these ideas hopefully you can keep yourself and your family from becoming a victim this season. 

    Thefts from cars are all too often attributed to citizens not locking their doors.  A very large percentage of thefts from cars occur because the doors were not locked, and not from breaking the glass or picking the lock.  This is important to remember both when out shopping and when it is parked in your driveway at home.  People mistakenly think that criminals won’t come on their property to steal from them or that it just won’t ever happen to them.       

    Whether you are out shopping or at home it is always important to remember not to leave valuables out in the open in your car.  Even though most thefts from cars occur because they were left unlocked, if you leave something valuable (wallet, watch, gifts, etc.) laying out it makes it more enticing to the criminal to break into your car. 

    Most people don’t think of credit card statements as being valuable, but if a criminal gets a hold of your account numbers they can use them to their advantage.  It is important to remember not to leave them in your car along with anything else that might have your social security number or other personal information on it. 

    When out shopping it is always a good idea to park your car in a well lit area that has lots of pedestrian traffic near it.  With the light shining on it, and the people around, it makes your vehicle not as appealing of a target to a criminal and chances are they will move on to another more vulnerable one.  Always put your shopping bags in the trunk of your vehicle instead of trying to cover them up in the back seat or even worse leaving them out in the open.  

    Unfortunately, this time of year usually results in an increase of home burglaries.  Criminals know that there are presents in your home and they take advantage of this to do some Christmas “shopping” of their own.  Always remember to lock your doors and windows to help keep your items safe.  If you have an alarm system then be sure to always use it because you never know when a criminal might visit. 

    To prevent home burglaries it is a good reminder that you should get to know your neighbors, because they might be your best line of defense.  Recently, we solved a burglary case due to the keen observation of a neighbor who noticed that something suspicious was going on at their neighbor’s house.  If you notice something out of the ordinary please do not hesitate to dial 911.  If your not sure if it warrants a 911 call then err on the side of safety and dial it. 

        If you’re approached by somebody claiming to be with a charity and they’re asking for money, it’s best to stick with known charities.  If you feel uneasy about whether they actually represent a charity then ask for identification and a contact number for their company headquarters before donating.  If they are actual representatives of a charity this should not offend or anger them.  If it does then odds are they may not be legitimate after all.   

   Hopefully by following these tips you will help ensure a safe and happy holiday season for you and your family.  The Benton Police Department would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Be safe out there.