For most of us, the holidays are a time of joy and celebration. Criminals however, see the holidays as an opportunity to take advantage of either our lightened mood, or seasonal distractions, when our guard is less likely to be up. So to help prevent any “Grinches” from stealing your holiday joy, here are some tips to keep in mind and help you get through the season safely.
By Steve Burns
Community Awareness Committee Chair
When Shopping, or Out and About
- Take only the credit cards you need when shopping. Leave the others in a safe place at home.
- When paying with a credit card, make sure that the card is not easily visible to others around you. There are crooks that can memorize your card number in a matter of seconds.
- Keep your purse or wallet close to you at all times.
- Do not carry excessive or unnecessary cash on you.
- Shop in the daylight if possible. When shopping after dark always park in a well-lit area.
- Shop with a friend when possible, because there’s safety in numbers.
- Do not leave your purse, wallet, cell phone, or any other valuables in plain view.
- When you return to your vehicle, scan the interior to be sure no one is hiding inside.
- When placing purchases from the stores in your vehicle, place them out of sight. The best place is in the trunk.
- After putting packages in your vehicle, drive to different row before going to another store. Do this even if you are simply going back to the same store.
- Try not to park next to a larger vehicle, that blocks your vision while you are entering or exiting your vehicle.
- Have your keys out and ready when approaching your vehicle.
- Hide your garage door opener. Many people leave mail, or other info with their address, in the car. This makes it easy for a thief to get in through your garage.
- Black out your address on your registration. The reason the address is on there is simply for mailing. In the event of a traffic stop, the police do not need to see the address on the paper
When Home
- To help prevent vandalism, turn off inflatable decorations at a specific time. If convenient, bring them up to the front porch or close to the house.
- Keep the front of the house well lit and make sure that trees and bushes are trimmed so that doors and windows can easily be seen.
- Install an alarm system if possible (see my article from the Spring issue).
- Beware of door-to-door charity scams.
- Keep an eye out for parcel deliveries; packages on porches are big targets.
- Make sure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are functioning properly
(Make sure that you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors).
When Leaving Town
- Have mail held at the post office while you’re away.
- Use timers on lights to give the appearance that someone is home.
- Let a loved one or someone else that you trust know the route that you’re taking. This goes especially if you will be traveling in snowy or icy conditions.
- Register for Vacation Watch with the City of Phoenix Police department.
- By utilizing those tips, having heightened awareness, and by using some common sense, we can all have a safer and more joyous holiday season.
Finally, I’m pleased to announce that due to last year’s success, your DRCA Board of Directors has once again authorized extra off-duty Phoenix police patrols during the holiday season. Remember, although Phoenix police officers do a fantastic job but they can’t be everywhere all the time. That is why it is so important to know and communicate with your neighbors and to keep looking for things that are out of place in your neighborhood. You can help make Desert Ridge a safer and better place to live by starting or participating in a neighborhood block watch program.
If you’re interested in learning how to start a neighborhood block watch program, please contact the Desert
Ridge Community Association office at 480-551-4553 or contact Community Action Officer Tim Mitten from the Phoenix Police Department at 602-495-5238.
