Happy Holidays! Or, are they really? Retailers are not the only ones that suffer from theft during the holiday season. Yes, shoplifting, employee theft, and merchant thefts occur more during the holiday season than at other times of the year for retailers, but people around the country are more and more vulnerable to theft that occurs at their front door. Have you bought anything online? Has it been delivered? There are many stories of packages being delivered, but never actually received by the recipient. Where is it? Some of them at least are at the hands of thieves that go prowling neighborhoods in search of delivered packages left at your front or side door. If you ordered something online and won’t be at home during the day, asking a neighbor to accept the package for you is not imposing, it is just neighborly. Take precautions this holiday season to avoid being the victim of theft.
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Chamblee Police: Tips to Avoid Becoming a Holiday Crime Victim
Chamblee, GA, December 5, 2016 – The Post Reports – The Chamblee Police Department provides the following information on why thieves love the Holiday season and what you can do to prevent becoming a victim.
Why Thieves Love the Holiday Season
All the hustle and bustle going on over the holidays gives thieves what they want, almost as much as an unlocked bank vault and that is the opportunity to become invisible. Thieves can move through big crowds of rushed and distracted people without anyone noticing them. They can pickpocket and shoplift and when their victims realize that they have been robbed, they will have no idea who did it.
Thieves Feed on Opportunities
Thieves know that the police are overloaded during the holiday season and they take full advantage it. They thrive on the fact that the police and stores’ loss prevention staff have their hands full with amateur thieves who are hauled to jail for trying to steal from the electronics departments or waiting for the parents of teenagers who pocketed the latest video game.
In the meantime, the professional thieves are busy breaking into cars in the parking lots to steal gifts, cell phones and electronics or stalking and robbing. Some thieves prefer burglarizing homes. They spend their time walking neighborhoods, looking for houses that appear that the homeowners are away. Darkened homes nestled between neighbors with front yards bursting with holiday lights will draw their attention.
Albany police encourage businesses to be on constant crime watch
businesses should increase their vigilance, watching for crime in their stores, as shoplifting and thefts increase during the holidays.
It’s a serious issue, because a large theft in a small store could mean a merchant having to go out of business.
Chuck Roberts has owned John Ross Jewelers at his Dawson Road location for 30 years, and one reason he has been so successful is he was already thinking about criminals when he designed the shop.
“We built this store the way it’s built, to stop the shoplifting,” explained Roberts.
Police said that during this time of year, shoplifters and thieves increase their activity, because stores have more customers to hide among, and there is more on hand to steal.
“They have more merchandise available. So there will always be someone who is looking to find an illegal way to acquiring that merchandise,” said Albany Police Chief Michael Persley.
Roberts has well established trade practices to deter thieves and lots of surveillance cameras watching customers, because he has thousands of dollars worth of jewelry in his store cases, and knows crooks will go to almost any length to steal them.
Consumers beware of holiday crimes
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) – The winter months cover a time of seasonal giving and cheer.
Unfortunately, crime doesn’t pause for the holidays.
Especially after major online shopping events like Cyber Monday.
Ryan Adamson with the Terre Haute Police Department says you have to watch out for the occasional Grinch looking to steal.
He says, “Thefts of packages increase this time of year. Somebody is at work, they get a notification on their phone that UPS, or Fed-Ex, has dropped off a package. They get home and lo and behold, it’s not there. So be mindful of where your packages are going.”
Criminals are looking for an easy steal, so what is easier than an unattended package on a door step?
Adamson suggests, “If you can have it delivered to work, do so. Or, try to have them sent to a friend’s house or a relative’s house. Just somebody that’s going to be home. Or, make it to where somebody has to sign for the package, so the package is verified that somebody is there for it.”
Adamson also says to be careful where you place your presents once wrapped.
He says, “Don’t put your gifts in plain view right in front the window where everybody can see. Don’t put your big expensive TV right in front of the window. If you’re not going to be home, let your neighbor know. Have somebody check on your house for you to make sure everything is okay.”
Unfortunately, your car isn’t safe from winter scrooges either.
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