Holiday Safety Tips…

We are about to enter into the Christmas Season where many of us still believe that it is “better to give than to receive”.  Unfortunately, there are many people that believe it is “better to take from others” and those individuals can be called a “thief or a Grinch”.

Please take a few minutes to review the following preventative measures that you can implement to reduce the likelihood of being a victim this Christmas Holiday Season:

v Reduce the number of credit cards from your wallets and purses in the event your wallet or purse is stolen.

v Photocopy the credit cards in your wallets and purses and put copies in a secure location in your home.  This will make it easier to contact the credit card companies and cancel your credit cards in the event they are lost or stolen.

v NEVER leave anything of value or purchases in plain view in your vehicle.  Simply secure these items in the trunk of your vehicle.  If you drive an SUV, use the manufacturer-installed cargo cover to conceal items and merchandise in the cargo area of your vehicle.  Or cover these items with a dark-colored blanket or oversized bath towel if your SUV is not equipped with a cargo cover.  Many thieves will simply walk through parking lots and look for merchandise to take from vehicles.

v ALWAYS lock your vehicle even if you are just going inside to pay for the fuel that you just purchased.

v NEVER leave your keys in the ignition or leave the engine running on an unattended vehicle!!!  Even if you are just grabbing a cup of java from “Starbucks” or going inside to pay for the fuel you just purchased.

v ALWAYS place your purse inside your vehicle before unloading merchandise and groceries from your shopping cart.  The number of incidents involving the theft of purses taken from shopping carts while loading merchandise and groceries into your vehicle are increasing.

v NEVER leave your purse unattended in your shopping cart.  It only takes a matter of seconds for a thief to take your purse or wallet while you are looking at merchandise.  Consider carrying your driver’s license, blank check, or credit card on your person when grocery shopping as a preventative measure.

v ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.  Especially when an individual approaches you while loading our vehicle.  There are teams of thieves that will approach and ask for directions or some other diversionary tactic while another individual steals your purse, wallet.

v REMOVE any documents in your vehicle containing your home address and delete your home destination from your GPS device.   Instead enter the address of Pierce Township Police Department, 950 Locust Corner Road.  This is important in the event your vehicle is stolen and has your garage door opener or keys to your home.

Please adopt the above crime prevention techniques and have a safe and secure holiday season!!!