P.C.S.O.
Crime Prevention Unit
Wishes you and yours a Safe and Pleasant
Holiday Season

Holiday Safety

The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit would like to give you information to help you be particularly alert to the possibility of crime. The Holidays are a very busy time of year, as our days get busier planning and preparing for shopping, gatherings and events, we need to be extra careful not to fall victim of crime. Holidays should be a time to celebrate and share with both family and friends, but unfortunately it can be a time when crime becomes more widespread. Criminals love the holidays more than most because it gives them a larger opportunity to commit crime, using unsuspecting holiday shoppers and travels as prey.

National statistics show that people are especially vulnerable to theft, burglary and other crimes during such a whirlwind holiday season. Do not fall victim to a holiday “Grinch”, be prepared. Listed below are some safety tips to help you and yours avoid being victims during such a celebrated season.

There is safety in numbers. Shop with friends and family when possible.

· Stay alert of your surroundings. Walk with confidence, head-up and make eye
contact with people.

· Park and walk in well-lit, well-traveled areas. Don’t take shortcuts or use delivery
corridors at malls.

· Carry small amounts of cash, and only credit cards you intend to use.

· If carrying a purse have it close to your side, not dangling by the strap(s) this helps prevent purse snatching. Keep your purse fasten to prevent pick pocketing.

· Put wallets in front coat pockets or in a front pants pocket.

· Never leave valuables unattended.

· Don’t over burden yourself with packages, and gifts have your keys in hand when
approaching your vehicle. Immediately lock vehicle doors once you enter.

· Stay alert for any persons lingering outside a store, mall entrance and/or in the
parking area. Contact a store employee, security, or law enforcement of suspicious activity.

· If you are shopping with the kids, teach them to go immediately to a store clerk or
security personnel if you become separated. Children should never be left in a
vehicle alone or allowed to roam freely at shopping centers.

· If you take packages to your car and plan to return in to the mall/store, it is
recommended that you drive your vehicle to another parking location. Criminals
watch for such activity from shoppers.

Know that your property is not worth risking your life. If a robber approaches, cooperate this lowers the potential for injury.

An increase of home burglaries occur during the Holiday Season, reduce your risk by following these tips:

Use light and appliance times to give the appearance someone is home. Keep curtains drawn and blinds close so your home doesn’t look empty.

Have a neighbor park in your drive periodically to make the residence look occupied.

Ask a trusted neighbor to keep a watch for your home. Have them pick up your mail
    and newspapers, or have service held until you return. Don’t forget you have service
    available to you, contact your local Law Enforcement Agency to schedule a short-term
    residential check.

Do not display gifts where they can be easily seen from a window or doorway.

Make sure windows and doors are locked. Install additional locks for sliding glass
and French doors.

Alert local authorities of people going door to door in your neighborhood. Beware of
    strangers, sometimes a criminal can pose as a representative from an organization or
    charity and solicit donations while trying to view the contents of your home to come
    back at a later time and burglarize you.

Do not open your door to persons whom you do not know, ask them how can you
    help them through the door. If they ask to use your phone take the number and call
    for them but do not let them in. Be aware of this and other suspicious activity as
    someone asking to use your restroom, these are often used as ploys for criminals to
    enter homes to spot things of value.

Lights and a TV or radio should be left on to give the appearance someone is home.

Never leave electrical holiday decorations unattended; unplug them before you
leave. (Faulty holiday decorations lead to numerous fires during the Holiday Season.)

Lock all doors, windows and set your alarm (if you have an alarm system.) when you leave even if it’s only for a few minutes.