Protect Your Home, Valuables While Away for the Holidays

During the holiday season, unoccupied homes filled with new or unopened gifts are inviting targets for residential burglars.

Here are simple tips from police for protecting your home from becoming a target, and protecting your neighborhood from thieves.

• Close and lock all windows and doors, even upstairs windows.
• Stop mail and newspaper delivery while you are away, or have a trusted relative or friend pick up such items and deliveries. An overstuffed mailbox or piles of newspapers on your front door makes it obvious to would-be burglars that you are out of town.
• Consider making the residence appear occupied by leaving on a television or radio in addition to lights on timers.
• Inform trusted neighbors and friends of the duration of your trip and provide them with a way they can contact you in the case of an emergency.
• Padlock side gates.
• Leave a vehicle in the driveway.
• Invest in quality locks and doors.
• Secure your garage door.
• Do not place gifts or valuables in plain view.
• Avoid keeping large amounts of cash or valuables inside the residence; utilize a safe or security deposit box.
• Use interior light timers or exterior motion detector lights.
• Invest in a security system.
• Engrave your valuables. This makes them much less attractive to thieves or burglars by making them harder to sell.
• Keep your yards clean and free of debris or items which could conceal a thief.
• Pre-program the police's non-emergency telephone number—831-471-1151—and the crime tip hotline—831-768-3544—into
  your cell phones.

Other information to help you increase your awareness in and around your neighborhood:

• Criminals often pose as delivery personnel in order to gain access to your home or to check if anyone is present. Always ask for identification or call the police if something seems suspicious about your contact with such a
  person.
• If you see strangers in your neighborhood knocking on random doors, climbing fences or looking into parked vehicles,call the police immediately.
• Pay attention to vehicles unfamiliar to your neighborhood or suspicious persons parked in front of your neighbors' houses.
• When contacting the police department, try to provide as much information as possible.
  -Descriptors: gender, age, race, clothes, tattoos, etc.
  -Vehicles: make, model, color, and license plate.

Also, if you live outside of city limits, the Sheriff's Office will send deputies or volunteers to make sure things are secure at your home. The Vacation Check Program is a free service and you can sign up online.

Happy Holidays!