While last-minute shoppers descend upon retail stores and shopping malls to wrap up holiday gift ideas, they’re also being swarmed by criminals in search of their next victim. And, the holiday season often becomes a time when bustling shoppers forget everyday measures to protect themselves and their homes from crime.
Trooper Bruce A. Morris, public information officer for the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop C, said that burglary, robbery and theft were the primary holiday crimes. He said burglary involved breaking and entering, while robbery consisted of using force or the threat of force to take something from another person.
“All of which are prevalent during the holiday season,” he said. Officer Julie Wehler of the Lawrence Township Police Department agreed.
She added, “Usually at Christmastime, we see more residential burglaries because they’re looking for valuables and money. Criminals are aware of the valuables in residences and in vehicles this time of the year.”
According to the state police’s “Home Burglary Prevention Guide,” burglars break into a home, apartment or condominium every 11 seconds. In addition, 60 percent of residential burglaries occurred during the daylight hours.
Sixty-five percent of all burglaries were by forced entry, while 28 percent were by unlawful entry without any force and the doors/windows left unlocked. Seven percent were reported as an attempted forcible entry, but no entry was made and the burglar gave up or was frightened off.
The guide directed anyone who returns home and finds a door or window ajar to go to a neighbor’s home and contact police. In the event of a “surprise encounter” with an intruder, you should attempt to flee. If you are blocked in, you should remain still and allow them to leave. It said you should not attempt to detain the intruder, as they may be armed.
The sooner a burglary victim contacts police, the greater the chances possessions will be recovered. While waiting for police to arrive, you shouldn’t touch anything or clean up any mess, as it may taint important evidence, according to the prevention guide.
When the police arrive, you should provide them with an inventory of your household items. This will make it easier for police to identify a suspect who is caught with your items.
The guide said that residential burglars are often male teenagers who live nearby you. They are “opportunists” who look for “easy targets.” If the risk of detection is too high, the “average burglar” won’t attempt to enter your home, and “time, effort and openness” will deter them.
According to the prevention guide, a well-manicured lawn can be quite important in emphasizing that you pay close attention to your home. In the eyes of a burglar, an overgrown lawn suggests a vacancy and possible burglary target.
In addition, overgrown or extremely large trees or shrubs can hide burglary activity, especially around your home’s entry points. For security’s sake, you should have them trimmed or moved.
Fences can be an effective part of your security, but they may be a liability in hiding a burglar’s activity. Lights are an important crime deterrent for your neighborhood, but your personal residence should also be well lit, the prevention guide said.
Further, you do not want to help a burglar break into your home, so you must watch what you leave in your yard. In fact, your own ladders, screwdrivers, hammers or pliers can be used against you.
According to the prevention guide, the “average burglar” only has two options for entering your home: windows and doors. Doors are an important part of a residential security system.
For example, hollow-core doors can be easily kicked in. For external doors and door frames, you should opt for solid wood or steel. You should avoid leaving gaps around the door frame, as this provides leverage for removing the door from its frame.
Sliding glass doors are a common entry point. Many of these doors can be lifted off their tracks. For maximum security, you should use vertical bolts. Also, you should place a metal or solid wood rod on the inside track to hold the door closed.
The prevention guide indicated that garage and back doors are frequent entry points as well. The door that connects your garage to your home should have solid wood or solid-core construction. You should secure it with a deadbolt lock. You shouldn’t rely on an electric garage door opener as your only security measure.
Back doors are popular as they are often hidden from the street, and many homeowners leave them unlocked. It’s important to keep your back door well lit and to install a deadbolt. These doors should have a solid-core as well.
Like doors, windows should be kept closed and locked. One of the most common entry points for burglars is a ground level window at the rear side of a home, according to the prevention guide.
Morris offered residents the following home and shopping safety tips.
Home Safety
1. Always lock your home’s doors and windows, even if you’re at home.
2. When leaving town for an extended period, have a trusted friend, neighbor or family member take care of your home. Ask them to pick up your mail, newspapers and other deliveries.
3. Notify your police department when you’re planning an extended absence, and they will routinely check your property. Also, don’t tell people you will be away.
You should neither leave notes on your door nor messages on your answering machine, detailing your schedule or return.
4. Avoid displaying gifts where they can be seen from outside your home through a window or doorway. Leave burglars guessing at what they will find and where to find them.
5. If possible, have packages delivered to a neighbor if you’re not home. Deliveries left outside are easily stolen by thieves, and they also draw unwanted attention to your home.
6. Elaborate and or expensive outdoor Christmas decorations are often stolen right from your property. You should consider installing simpler and cheaper outside decorations.
7. Do not decorate your windows to the point that your view to the outside of your home is obscured. You need a clear view of your property.
8. Dispose of packaging for expensive items discreetly. Thieves can spot something you’ve discarded and target your home for their next burglary or theft.
For example, when you make large purchases, do not leave the empty boxes on the curb. Break them down and place them on the bottom of your trash pile on the day of pickup.
Shopping Safety
1. Shop with a friend. You are less likely to become a victim of a crime if you are not alone.
2. Be just as vigilant about your surroundings during the daylight hours as you would be at night. Crimes can occur at any time.
3. Avoid carrying a purse if at all possible and keep cash and credit cards in a front pants pocket.
4. Always park your car in a well-lit area and remember where you parked. You will be able to get in your car and get on your way faster.
5. Consolidate packages. Shoppers carrying a lot of packages are often targets for criminals because they are distracted and not as mobile.
6. Hide purchases in your parked vehicle. Put them in the trunk or cover them with a blanket.
7. Stay alert while walking to your car. Talking or texting on your cell phone, or looking for keys while walking are distractions and make you an easy target.
8. Check the interior of the vehicle before getting in your car. Carry your keys in your hand as you walk to your vehicle and pick a parking space that’s easy to get out of so that you can leave the parking lot quickly.
Although retail theft occurs throughout the year, Wehler said there’s a small spike leading up to the holiday season during the months of October, November and early December. But at the same time, Wehler said the holiday season draws more people into retail stores and shopping malls, which contributes to the increase.
“There’s a lot more people, shoppers. You need to be a lot more vigilant and aware during the holiday season,” she said.
While the last-minute holiday rush may still send shoppers online, she said they need to be conscientious of who they’re providing their personal and financial information to.
Online shoppers should research the company, read other customer reviews and determine who will have access to their account information. She said anytime someone enters their personal and credit card information online, they run the risk of compromising it.
Wehler said they must also be alert to Internet and e-mail scams. She said “if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.” She reminded Internet users that if they’re asked to pay for any prize, “it’s almost always a scam.”
She said the elderly, however, is often contacted by phone. These scammers are asking them to send money to win cash prizes or to help a family member who is in trouble.
“They should verify or ask for something in writing. It gets scammers uneasy,” she said, adding anyone can contact or visit their local police department about potential scams.
“They need to be vigilant so that they don’t become a victim of a crime.”
