OK, so I’ve posted these DPD notes out of order. Here’s the introduction note of their plan to send out weekly tips this holiday season.
It is customary for every police department to provide a reminder of safety tips for the holiday season as criminals unfortunately take advantage of us being distracted by our merriment and also have more opportunities to steal because of all of the new goods we are buying, making, giving, receiving and transporting. The holidays are also a time for more parties & gatherings, more travel & traffic and more pressure to get a million things done which can be stressful and undermine the very spirit of the season.
Instead of blasting you with a one-time long list of warnings and “do-nots” the week of Thanksgiving, we are going to send out weekly tips, by topic, so you will have a chance to digest the information. Most of us know the basics but we can all use reminders as we get caught up in the hustle and bustle. We want everyone to have an enjoyable and safe holiday season through awareness rather than paranoia. Make safety a habit and not a headache. If there is a specific topic you would like to see covered, please contact Sgt. Jennifer Ross at or [email protected].
Personal Safety While Shopping
- Be alert and aware! It’s easy to be distracted by the crowds, selecting the right gift, being preoccupied with holiday activities.
- Keep shopping bags, valuables, purses, and wallets close to you. Keep purses or bags closed.
- Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion.
- Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason and watch out for friendly strangers. They may ask a question or offer to assist you with your bags to distract you or put you in a compromising situation. At this time of year, “con-artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
- Stay alert while you are walking to your car. Talking or texting on your phone or digging in your purse for your keys while walking is a distraction and makes you an easy target.
And watch out for punks playing “knockout.” That’s some scary sh!t right there.
I read an article today about a teen who tried to play this game with a guy in Michigan who, it turns out, had a concealed carry permit. It ended badly for the teen.
Since it’s Michigan, it will probably also end badly for the guy with the gun, when the thug’s mom says, “but he was a good boy!” and sues the shooter (after he’s arrested for breaking the law for firing a gun in a public place).
Just watching the same thing.
Here’s a tip for you: Don’t go buy a bunch of gifts and then go out to eat while the gifts are still in your car and expect them to be there when you get back to your car..
When I’m heading home with a car full of big screens, computers, and other various electronics, I make sure to pull into some other home’s driveway and sit for about five minutes before heading to my own home. Then, after I unpack everything, I take the empty boxes back over to that same house and leave them on their curb. It’s really best to do this with enemies.
Ha! In all seriousness, if I buy something I know thieves like to steal I take a convoluted route home that nobody else would take unless they’re following me.