The holiday season is here again and the Jefferson County Crime Prevention Team would like to remind you of a few tips to make this a safer and victimless season for you and your family.
When Shopping: Be aware of your surroundings both outside and inside the mall or business you are frequenting. Criminals watch you and pick their targets. They will watch you inside shopping to see if you are caring large amounts of cash when paying for your purchase. Take only the minimal number of cards with you. Take one – maybe two cards and your drivers license not a purse because as your hands begin to fill up with packages you are more likely to set you purse on the counter and forget it or a thief may snatch it off the counter while you are completing your purchase. Once they make their move they vanish in the crowd in a heart beat. If you carry cash don’t bring out the entire amount to pay. You may want to carry your cash in both pockets. For instance, keep large bills in your right pocket and smaller bills in your left pocket. If you had 100.00s in the right and made a purchase for 275.00, you can reach into the pocket and pull out three bills (300.00) and put the 25.00 change in the left pocket. If your next purchase is 10.00 you can pull out the 25.00 from the left and pay with the smaller bills. This way the thief does not see the roll of cash and does not know you have a large amount on you.
When returning to your vehicle: If you have an arm load of packages and run out to your car, especially at a mall, to drop them off at the car and plan to return inside the mall, don’t leave the packages in plane sight in the vehicle. Put them in the trunk or rear of an SUV covered up. Then consider getting in the vehicle and drive around to the other side of the mall and park. If thieves are watching the lot for this kind of activity and plan to break into your car for the packages, they think you left the mall. If someone is watching the other side of the mall they think you are a new arrival. While walking out to your car be particularly aware of anyone hanging around in the parking lot. If it feels wrong or out of place to you, go back inside and notify security. They will check the area and notify the Sheriff’s Office. If you are returning to your vehicle after dark walk out with others. Park your car under or near a light and try to get close to the building. Try to shop with friends – there is safety in numbers.
When attending holiday evening services: If you attend an evening or midnight service make your home look occupied. Leave the TV on for noise and the illusion of movement. Also leave some lights on inside and a vehicle visible in the driveway. This will give the appearance that someone is home. Thieves have been known to break into homes during the traditional Christmas Eve services time frame and steal presents or valuables from the home.
It is truly sad to have to think of these actions especially this time of year but remember they are out there all year long. On behalf of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, we hope these reminders are helpful and we wish all of you and yours a safe and happy holiday season.
In Partnership,
The Jeffco Crime Prevention Team
North Precinct – Jim Brendle 303 271 5363
Mountain Precinct – Dale Wizieck 720 497 7860
South Precinct – Gordon Neuenfeldt 720 377 2002