By B.C. Manion
With all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to get distracted – and that’s all a criminal needs to spoil the joy of your season.
It almost goes without saying that many steps people can take to avoid being victimized are a matter of common sense.
But it never hurts to hear some reminders.
During the holidays, criminals like to break into cars in parking lots near shopping centers and restaurants, said Cpl. Alan Wilkett, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
The best line of defense is simple: Lock your doors and roll up your windows, Wilkett said.
Criminals are looking for an easy target and often will walk between rows of cars, rattling the door handles to see which will open. If your doors are locked and your windows are closed, chances are they’ll keep moving, he said.
It’s also important to keep valuables and packages out of sight, either locked in the trunk or under something in the car. Criminals are more likely to break into a car if they see something of value, the law enforcement officer said.
When parking your car, try to minimize the distance between where you’re parked and where you’re going. That makes you less vulnerable to a potential crime.
When returning to your car, pay attention to where you’re going. Resist the urge to talk on a cell phone or text. Distraction is a criminal’s best friend – and the less observant you are, the more likely you are to become a crime victim, Wilkett said.
When you are approaching your car, be sure to scan underneath it and look inside the car before getting in, to make sure no one is hiding near your car or inside.
Be wary if you see a large panel truck parked next to your vehicle, especially if there’s someone in it and it isn’t moving.
Trust your instincts, the law enforcement officer said.
“There’s a little bell that goes off if things just aren’t right,” he said. Listen to those internal warning signals.
If you have any concerns about your safety, go back to the place where you were and ask for someone on the staff at the shop or restaurant to escort you to your car.
If you’re out shopping at night and you can see in through the shop’s windows, take a look inside. That may prevent you from walking into a robbery in progress.
When shopping, women should carry their handbag in front of them, and men should carry their wallets in the front pocket, he said. Doing so makes them harder to snatch.
Do not carry large amounts of cash. Use credit cards because they can be cancelled if they are lost or stolen.
It’s a good idea to stay in well-lit places and to carry a whistle or a personal alarm, which can be activated when a danger arises.
“Noise is the No. 1 deterrent to a criminal. They don’t like drawing attention,” Wilkett said.
When it comes to holiday shopping, Kevin Jackson, chief investigator for Hillsborough County’s Consumer Protection Agency, had some advice.
If you’re purchasing items on layaway, be sure to understand the store’s policies and pay special attention to any time constraints or minimum payments that must be made.
If you’re doing online shopping, go to the site yourself, don’t just click on one that pops up on your computer. “It could be a fake website,” Jackson warned.
Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true, especially of high-end watches, purses and clothing. If something is being offered at bargain basement prices, it may turn out to be counterfeit, instead of the genuine article, he said.
It’s also a good idea to ask about a store’s return policies – whether the store provides a store credit or cash, whether it charges a restocking fee and other limitations.
Stores are supposed to post their return policy. If you don’t see it anywhere, ask someone at the store to show it to you, Jackson said.
Wilkett reminds holiday merrymakers not to drink and drive. Besides watching out for yourself, watch out for your friends, as well, he said.
“Call a taxi. Call a parent. Call a friend. Do what it takes,” he said.
Parents should also remember that if minors to drink on their property, the liability will fall onto them, Wilkett said.
To help prevent underage drinking and prescription drug use, alcohol and medicine cabinets should be locked and an inventory kept of their contents, he said. That’ll help the adults stay on top of what’s happening in their home.
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