Tis the Season for Safety

The Christmas season has arrived, so let the shopping begin! As you shop for gifts for friends and family, be mindful of a few tips to keep yourself safe.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times. According to the National Missing Unidentified Persons System, “Over 600,000 individuals go missing in the United States every year.” When parking your vehicle, make sure it’s in a well-lit area, lock your doors, and avoid parking by large vehicles such as vans to avoid the chance of abduction.  

To ensure you’re able to hear what’s going on around you, don’t walk to and from your vehicle with AirPods or other audio devices in your ear. Hearing a scream, a gunshot, or someone coming up behind you could save your life. For that same reason, avoid browsing through your phone while walking.  Phones can be a distraction.

Don’t leave shopping bags in the back or front seat of your vehicle. Instead, put them in the trunk or out of view, and lock your doors. Like a child is tempted by candy, why tempt a thief?

Avoid having to search for your vehicle keys by having them in your hand before exiting the store. When getting into your vehicle, do not sit and browse through your phone or music list. Leave as quickly as possible. You’ve just loaded your vehicle with gifts and an assailant could be waiting for your moment of distraction to rob or carjack you. Leonard Sipes, Former Senior Specialist for crime Prevention for the Department of Justice’s clearinghouse stated, “Murders and gun assaults in major American cities fell slightly during the first half of 2022, while robberies and some property offenses posted double-digit increases, according to a new analysis of crime trends released…by the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ).”

Lastly, it’s tempting to post photos of Christmas gifts on social media. However, you’re advertising to would-be robbers what you have in your house or apartment. Sometimes, unknowingly, the background in a photo or caption, may hold clues to where you may reside. So, if someone really wants to find you, they could. Be careful what you share on social media platforms.

Be safe this Christmas season!

References:

“The Extent of the Problem.” National Missing and Unidentified Missing Persons System.  https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/about#the-extent-of-the-problem.

Sipes, Leonard. “Defund the police to make people safer, they said: Data shows huge increases in crime in 2022.” 29 July 2022. https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/data-shows-huge-increases-in-crime-already-in-2022/.