Every year, personal property theft goes up 22 percent in December. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that criminals know that a lot of people carry more cash than usual when they are out Christmas shopping. The second is they can be buying expensive doodads. So, it is wise not to have a thick stack of bills in a wallet—even if all you can manage is $1 bills—or pull out a lot of bills when buying something. When paying, be aware of anyone who eyes your cash, is following you, or otherwise acts suspicious. It goes without saying never leave your wallet or purse unattended for even a minute to step away to grab a napkin. It is also important to note not to leave expensive purchases like televisions, computers, or jewelry in your car. Criminals are smart enough to keep eyes on parking lots to watch for shoppers who put big-ticket items in their vehicles then go back into stores. Then, when the coast is clear, thieves can get into a car almost as quickly as using a key, and cart away the stuff you just paid for. To avoid this, return to your vehicle only one time after you make purchases. If you have to make multiple trips, never leave the gifts in plain sight. Hide them. Put them in your trunk or at least cover them with something if they are in the passenger compartment.
According to the Plant City Police Department (PCPD) Facebook page, if you shop at night, always park in a well-lit area, and if you can, shop with other people. Also, day or night, when you get back to your vehicle, check around it before you get in. It is a good idea not to take young kids with you when you shop because they like to play games like hide-and-seek in racks of clothes so you think they have been kidnapped and otherwise distract adults from being aware of suspicious people around them. If you do have to take your delightful little angels with you to the stores, keep an eye on them so they don’t actually get lost.
’Tis the season for porch pirates. These thieves will have a jolly old time taking booty that has sat too long at your door. More than 120 million packages were stolen in 2023. According to PCPD, here are some ways to safeguard your deliveries.
Schedule deliveries when someone is home.
Ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to retrieve your package if you’re not around.
Consider installing a Ring or other doorbell camera to capture any suspicious activity.
If you spot anything unusual, contact PCPD immediately.
If you are leaving home for a few days over the holidays, burglars know this is a good time to do their shopping under your Christmas tree. One way to avoid these unwanted visitors is to park a (locked) vehicle in your driveway—you can use one of your own, or offer the free parking spot to a neighbor you trust. Another thing you can do is ask a neighbor to pick up newspapers and door hangers from the front of your house. It can also be a good idea to put timers on a couple of lights and/or a television so it appears someone is home. Don’t post your trip on social media until you get back home, and make sure your privacy settings aren’t notifying others you aren’t in the area. Finally, if you are willing to pay more money, you can get alarms and exterior camera systems.
Taking reasonable precautions like these can keep your “Ho, Ho, Ho!” from turning into, “Oh, No, No!”