By: centraljersey.com
The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips from Chief Paul A. Kaminsky and the Hillsborough Township Police Department Community Policing Bureau can help you be come careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.
Park Smart:
Park and walk in well-lit, busy areas.
Use valet parking or an attended garage if you are alone.
Shop at locations that have police andor security patrols.
Remember where you parked your vehicle by writing down a landmark.
Keep your car locked at all times.
Never display or "flash" your cash or personal items:
Don’t leave valuable (cell phones, electronics, GPS devices, jewelry, etc.) in plain view inside the car; if necessary leave them at home or put them in the trunk if recently purchased.
Don’t wear (or keep to a minimum) expensive or expensive-looking jewelry while shopping.
Keep the amount of cash you carry to a minimum, use credit/debit card or checks instead.
Carry cash in your front pocket or an unusual place instead of your purse or wallet.
Do not carry a purse or wallet if possible, if you do keep the purse close to your body and the wallet in your front pocket.
While walking through parking and public areas:
Pay attention to your surroundings, people and vehicles in the area.
Do not approach situations that do not feel safe; trust your instincts.
Walk with confidence.
Do not overload yourself with packages.
Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet in your front pocket.
Do not be distracted by talking on the phone or wearing headphones.
Help others by reporting suspicious people to the police or security staff.
Ask security to escort you if you feel uneasy.
When you reach your car:
Have your keys in your hand and the alarm/panic button ready to activate.
Look into the vehicle and check for intruders before entering.
Continuously scan the area while loading children and packages.
Teach children to safely enter and exit the vehicle in an expedient manner.
Roll up the windows and lock your doors as soon as you get in the car.
Make it a habit to always start your vehicle and drive away immediately.
If approached by a suspicious person:
Be aware of strangers approaching for any reason.
Con-artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
Do not be afraid to tell subjects to back off, scream for help, activate your car alarm or use a self-defense product.
If you suspect you are being followed, switch directions and immediately go to a well-lit area crowded with people.
If someone in a vehicle asks for directions, ignore them or answer from a distance – do not approach the vehicle.
If you become the victim of a crime:
If approached by a suspect with a weapon, do not argue or resist; give up the car and any valuables they ask for (your life is worth more).
Call the police immediately to report the crime and provide detailed information; your actions can help prevent someone else from becoming a victim.
Keep records of credit card numbers and contact information in an easily accessible place and immediately report them if lost or stolen; the quicker you report them, the less damage a suspect can do.
Online shopping tips from the Better Business Bureau:
Shop only at Internet merchants you know and trust. If in doubt visit www.bbb.org
Beware of e-mails offering cut-rate policies; if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
Check the merchant’s refund policies before making a purchase.
Make sure the merchant is using a secure server.