Holiday Crime Prevention Tips Courtesy Marietta Police

From the City of Marietta:

As we prepare for the holidays by purchasing gifts and goods, please keep in mind that criminals in our society are also preparing. These criminals are preparing to take advantage of good people's generosity and complacency that accompanies this season of giving. While we dare not dissuade you from these benevolent characteristics, the Marietta Police Department does want to prevent those within our community from being victimized.

Please consider the following safety tips and preventative measures to ensure you and your property is protected this holiday season:

If you're traveling:

• Request a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home while you are away.
• Have a neighbor collect your mail or you can have your mail held by going to https://holdmail.usps.com/holdmail/.
• Set internal/external lights on timers set at random hours.
• Submit a request for the police to zone patrol your home while you are away. http://www.mariettaga.gov/city/police/services/submitrequest.

If you're staying home:

• When ordering gifts online or from a catalog, try to schedule the package delivery for when you will be available to accept them in person. If this is not an option for you, have a family member or neighbor accept them in your absence. Packages left on doorsteps are often stolen by opportunistic criminals.
• Place gifts in an area inside your house where they cannot be seen from outside. Burglars are window shoppers too!
• Update your home inventory list. Add all of the serial numbers of your family's new gifts to your home inventory. Also, save receipts of these gifts to record proof of purchase and item costs.
• Photograph non-serialized property of value. This tip applies to items of both monetary value and sentimental value. Photographs assist in identifying your property which helps increase the chance of recovery in the unfortunate event they are stolen.
• Do not leave any gift or valuables in your vehicle even if it is in your driveway.
• Do not expose new product boxes for passersby to see on trash day. Break down boxes to put inside trash cans or bags to conceal what new items you have in your home. If this is not possible, consider taking them to your local recycling center or meet the trash collector by the curb on pick-up days.

If you're out shopping:

• Never leave purchases in your vehicle. Plan out your shopping adventures, and include a stop by your home to drop off gifts. Leaving gifts in your vehicle allows criminals to window shop, and you could potentially become a victim.
• Look around and check your surroundings when you leave a business. If there is someone suspicious near your vehicle, do not approach them; instead call 911.
• Ladies, use a purse or satchel that allows you to have free hands. It is safer for you to be able to defend yourself if you are not fumbling with your purse.
• Find a buddy! Shopping alone may be quicker, but it is safer to shop in pairs. A party of two is a lot less likely to become victims than someone out shopping alone.
• Never place personal items in a shopping cart! Criminals are not always in the parking lot. Snatch and grab thefts can occur in any store at any time. Keep your wallet, cell phones, purses, etc. in your possession at all times.
• Shopping with a child can be challenging at times. It is very important to never let your child out of your sight. Toys are everywhere during this time of year, and children tend to wander away to glance at the newest ones. Talk with your child, and remind them of the importance of staying with you while shopping.

While you are taking the steps to prepare for the holidays so is the Marietta Police Department! MPD will be stepping up holiday enforcement to ensure that criminals will be behind bars and not victimizing the community. Beginning today, we will begin taking extra measures to ensure the City of Marietta is safe. Residential areas will begin to see more of an officer presence during the daytime and evening hours to ensure your homes and belongings are safe. Officers will be conducting surveillance on commercial areas throughout the city to help prevent burglaries and theft from local businesses.

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