This
Christmas season, don't let the holiday spirit lull you into giving burglars,
muggers and pickpockets a better chance to do their dirty work. Bad guys love
the holidays as much as everyone else, especially because it's a convenient
time for crime.
Your
home will be packed with shiny new gifts and the stores, malls and downtown
streets are crowded with unsuspecting shoppers. Everyone is rushing around
carelessly looking for last-minute gifts, trying to get everything done. It's
enough to make a thief happy with holiday joy.
Here
are some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season:
If You Are Traveling
-
Get
an automatic timer for your lights.
Contact
the Sauk Village Police to do an extra watch on your property and/or Ask
a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in your driveway from time
to time.
Don't
forget to cancel your mail and newspaper delivery because if it piles up, it's
a sure sign you're gone.
If You Are Out for the Evening
-
Turn
on lights, a radio or TV so it looks like someone's home.
- Be
extra diligent about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it's
just for a few minutes.
- Don't
display your presents where they can be seen from outside.
If You Are Shopping
-
Stay
alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
- Park
in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and
hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk or cover them to be inconspicuous.
- Avoid
carrying or flashing large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card
whenever possible but only carry one card in your wallet or purse.
- Discourage
pickpockets and purse-snatchers and don't overburden yourself with packages. Be
extra careful with your purse and/or wallet. Carry a purse close to your body,
not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants
pocket.
- Shopping
with your children? Have a plan, teach them to go to a store clerk or security
guard if you get separated.
Protect Your Vehicle
Loading
up on all those gifts is a sign of progress in the holiday shopping. But if
those packages are left out in the open after they're in the car, your car has
become a likely target for thieves. Remember "Out of sight, out of
mind?" the same idea applies to items in your car.
Always
lock your vehicle and store all items out of sight. Breaking into an empty car
isn't worth a thief's time and they will find one that’s full. Anything left in
plain view, from your holiday gifts to spare change, sunglasses, CDs, cell
phones or briefcases, may tempt a thief.
Help
prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car and using
anti-theft devices if you can. And although it's cold, never leave your vehicle
running while you run inside your home or a store, even if for only a minute or
two because you don’t know whose watching.
If a Stranger Comes to the Door
Criminals
sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts, so be cautious when accepting a
package. It's
not uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others' generosity during
the holidays by going door-to-door for charitable donations when there's no
charity involved. Ask for identification, and find out how the funds will be
used or call the police to see if they are registered to be soliciting in the
neighborhood.
After you've opened the Gifts
The
burglars know that many you have new, and many times expensive, items in your
homes following the Christmas holidays—especially items like new computers and
other electronic equipment. In many cases, we make it easy for burglars to
figure out which homes to target by putting boxes that identify your new gifts
in plain view with their other garbage.
Avoid becoming an easy target for
post-holiday burglars by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items
in the alley or other garbage pick-up locations for several days at a time.
Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing out, put them in garbage bags
and place them inside a trash can. Remember if you see someone suspicious casing
your alley or if you see a burglary in progress, call the Sauk Village Police
Department on 911.
Take a Holiday Inventory
The
holidays are a good time to update—or create—your home inventory. Take photos
or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial numbers. If your home
is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and
make insurance claims easier to file.
Make
sure things like TVs, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports
equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment and power tools
are on the list. Remember to check it twice!
Celebrate Responsibly
The
holiday season is a time of celebration and revelry. Drinking and driving is a
danger to everyone on the road. Illinois law says that anyone with a blood
alcohol count of.08 or higher is in violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code and
may go to jail. Remember that the risk isn't worth it—if you choose to drink
alcohol at a party, don't drive. Take a cab, use public transportation or a
designated driver. Have fun, but remember to celebrate responsibly.
Enjoy the Season!
Last
but not least, don't let holiday stress get the best of your holiday spirit. Be
sure to make time to get together with family, friends, and neighbors. Please
think about the less fortunate in the spirit of the season and help someone
who's less fortunate or lonely. We here at the Sauk Village Police Department
wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
