Use common sense to keep you and your belongings safe during holidays

For many, the holiday season often brings a renewed sense of faith, a chance to spend time with family and friends and the opportunity to celebrate the coming year.

There are others, however, who view the holidays as a time to make a quick buck by breaking into gift-laden homes or preying on the pocketbooks of busy, often frantic, shoppers.

“The holidays can be a chaotic time,” said Larry Logan, a senior deputy with the Thousand Oaks Police Department’s crime prevention unit. “The crooks like to take advantage of people who aren’t paying attention, and that’s when people get in trouble.”

Logan said there a few simple precautions, both in the home and while out shopping, that people can take to help ensure they don’t fall victim to a holiday crime.

It’s no secret that homes are often full of new gifts this time of year. The treasure trove of packages often is placed beneath the tree in view of someone walking by the home. Gifts left out in the open can attract burglars.

“More people are buying the high-end, expensive electronics,” Logan said. “They’re portable and valuable . . . a real favorite of crooks.”

To protect themselves and help prevent a home burglary, Logan said, residents should take a proactive, common-sense approach.

Keep doors and windows locked, especially when no one is home, he said. Use motionsensor lighting to keep the exterior of the house well lit, and take advantage of a home security system.

A common mistake many people make, Logan said, is throwing out empty boxes with the morning trash the day after Christmas. Burglars can know what’s inside the house simply by driving up and down the block and “shopping” the boxes left intact on the curb or sticking out of trashcans.

“Cut up your boxes and put them inside the trashcan with the lid closed,” Logan said. “You don’t want the crooks to know you’ve just bought an expensive TV.”

The deputy said vacationing homeowners should make sure someone is picking up the mail and newspaper on a daily basis. He also suggested homeowners use interior light timers to make it appear as if someone is home at night.

Most police departments will do vacation home checks, Logan said. Typically, the home checks are done by police volunteers and will be made daily.

While holiday shopping, the best offense is a good defense, Logan said. “Be aware of your surroundings. Keep on eye on who is around you and what they are doing.”

Because pickpockets take advantage of the busy malls, Logan recommends that men keep their wallets in the front pocket and that women carry their driver’s license and credit cards on them, not in their purse.

“Men should never carry their checkbooks in their back pocket,” Logan said. “It doesn’t fit and usually sticks up in the back. . . . It’s easy to pull out of the back pocket.”

Pickpockets work in teams, he said. Usually, one person will distract the shopper with a bump, while the other will use the diversion to steal the wallet.

Again, Logan said, it’s imperative that shoppers remain aware of their surroundings and those around them.

Being aware of your surroundings is most important when walking between your car and the store, Logan said. Park your car in a safe, well-lit area. Do not park near construction or abundant shrubbery or trees. Once you arrive, look around your car before stepping out into the parking lot.

When returning to the car from the store, Logan said, people should take in their environment. Look around to make sure no one is standing nearby or sitting in a neighboring car. Have your keys ready and don’t take a lot of time to do anything unnecessary once you’re in the car and ready to leave.

“You come out of the store stressed about shopping . . . and you’re not paying attention while you’re walking to your car. That’s the exact person the crooks want to approach,” Logan said. “If you ever feel unsafe about walking to your car, don’t do it alone. Have mall security escort you . . . or make sure you’re within eyesight of other shoppers.”

Logan said that if you are approached by a mugger, it’s best to start slowly walking backwards in order to gain more distance between you and the criminal.

“Once you get some space between you and the crook, turn and run,” Logan said. “Never, ever get into the car with someone. . . . In the car, you give up all control.”