SAVANNAH, GA (December 22, 2014): Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police urge citizens to be vigilant in using post-holiday practices to decrease the odds of falling victim to criminal activity. Below, SCMPD has provided 10 crime prevention tips to keeps citizens safe after holiday celebrations.
- Do not leave unwrapped gifts visible through your home’s exterior windows.
- Make sure all original gift packaging is broken down, put in plastic trash bags and secured in a sealed garbage bin until pick up. Also, consider keeping broken down boxes inside your home until sanitation workers make their rounds. Do not give thieves a reason to target your home.
- Inscribe high priced items such as televisions, computers and other electronics with an identification number unique to the owner (do not use social security numbers).
- Take inventory of newly gifted items, noting the make, model, serial numbers and other details. Photographs of items such as jewelry also are helpful.
- Be cognizant of strangers knocking at your door. Before opening the door for anyone claiming to be charity workers, ask for ID. A stranger’s knock at your door may provide them the chance to scope the inside of your house for valuables and strategize for a later return.
- Keep the outside of your home well lit. When leaving, even for short periods, lock doors and close curtains.
- Avoid posting photos of your new gifts on social media sites. You never know who is searching for easy burglary targets.
- If your holiday celebrations are out of town, hold off on posting photos and information about your travels on social media until you return to your home.
- Be a good neighbor. When suspicious persons or activities are observed in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately. Don’t delay. You might prevent a crime from being committed.
- Schedule an appointment with you precinct’s Crime Prevention Officer to evaluate the security of your residence.
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