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Also, be cautious for purse snatchers, we always have a problem with them in places you're most comfortable, like the grocery store.
What do you do to stay on guard during the holidays? Aside from the obvious 'money is tight', why else do you think crooks target people close to the holidays?
This is what I just received:
The following is from the Richmond Police Department:
The Burglaries are occurring in the daytime, and are being reported from 730 AM to 8:00 PM. We believe that in actuality they are occurring during the daylight hours, and that they are not being discovered until the residents return home. The window is likely smaller.
Almost all of the burglaries have occurred on Kenmore Rd. There were two on Sherbrook Rd. and one on Burrundi Dr. The method of entry is breaking a window out of a door, or kicking/prying a door open. In one instance a second story door was used to gain entry. Backdoors are where the suspects are gaining access to the homes. We recovered blood from one of the scenes.
Televisions, jewelry, and firearms have been stolen.
In more than one instance, a black male has been observed knocking on doors the day of the burglaries. In one instance the male claimed that he was looking for water to fix his car. This individual was wearing what was described as a black raincoat.
In yesterday’s incidents, a black male was seen in the area knocking on doors. He was described as having a medium complexion, standing at 6’ or 6’1”, wearing a heavy black jacket and a dew rag. He also had a thin goatee. He was seen in a black BMW. It is believed to be an early 2000’s model, and it had temporary tags.
Another vehicle that was seen in the area was a light blue/silver blue Ford Contour, driven by a black male.
If anyone sees anything that is suspicious please have them call the police.
We are working on multiple leads. There is the obvious visible police presence in the area. We are also working with plainclothes officers, detectives and outside divisions within the police department.
BE SAFE, but don't stress out or worry too much mama's!! Just be aware of your surrounds :)
I have two very big dogs.....While people don't know that they won't bite....They have extremely loud menacing barks...so hopefully that will continue to be a deterent.
We are looking at getting a home alarm.....Now a days with all the unrest out there, I know people are desperate. Thanks for posting.
Truthfully, I think the holiday season INCREASES all feelings in people. People's desperation, people's fear, people's intolerance and people's paranoia.
I've never been the victim of "holiday crime." I don't expect to be this year either.
No, I'm not naive or stupid, I just think if people take normal precautions, they will probably experience the same "level" of crime that they generally experience.
For example, you wouldn't walk around a crowded mall with your purse unlatched, right? You don't leave your front doors unlocked when you leave your house for the day, right? If you don't normally open your door to strangers, don't start.
I took some criminal justice classes, and we were having a conversation with our professor before class. He told us, if we ever feel like we're being followed in a parking lot, to make a scene. Yell something like, "Why are you following me, Leave now." (And always have you cell phone in hand.) Something a long those lines. He said they are counting on the element of surprise and sudden fear, and you take control of the situation...and make it likely someone will hear and intervene.
I think it is a little of both. No statistics to quote, but just my own opinion. I think people are desperate, and I think like OneandDone said, the holidays increase whatever someone is feeling: good will/ill will/ the will to steal, whatever.
I ALSO think that the holidays DO make offenders more inclined to burgle homes. Why? Because people are shopping and 'stockpiling' gifts in their homes. It is easy pickings-- the items are still in their packaging, which makes them easy to transport without damaging the product, and also potentially lets them "return" the item to a store for cash or credit, when the product is still in it's original packaging. Shoot, some people probably even have their unwrapped gifts still in the store bag that it was brought home in, with the receipt in the bag (for easily having it handy for returns or problems after the gift is opened)....
AND, people are more likely out and about shopping, socializing, etc... and not at home.
The one thing we're looking into this year is a RFID blocking stuff for our credit cards etc. Twice now our credit card number has been stolen while all cards are still in our possession. We don't know how they got our numbers. We've caught it immediately as I go online no more than every few days to take a look at activity on the card, pay my balance etc. The first time was for a charge for $4 and some change. The scam is they charge a small amount and see if it goes unnoticed. If it does they go on to charge thousands. The second time our number was stolen it was used online to buy credit reports from Experian for people they stole social security information etc from. They only made one charge before we spotted it, they had attempted a second one but it failed.
Not exactly what you mentioned but it really made me think of it. There are so many things to be aware of, especially during the holidays when more people aren't home, being out in crowded areas etc.
One thing I want to mention is that these guys are knocking on doors to see if anyone is home. They are targeting empty houses. SO, if someone knocks on your door,. answer it. Otherwise they may think no one is home and try to break in. Also, if possible try to make it look like you're home so they will not even bother knocking on the door. In this instance, it's safer to open the door and let them know you're there!
We've had a string of "daytime" burglaries in our area too. But they're not holiday related, it's just another occurrence. Most burglaries happen during the daytime, because the suspects count on the fact that the owners are not home. Of course there are always exceptions, like home invasions in the late evenings, but most of those are targeted homes by people who are dealing/selling drugs, have lots of prescriptions, or lots of $$.
I think the idea that more crime happens over the holidays is a little misleading. It's not that suspects are out perusing because it's "the holidays," but rather there are MORE people out doing their shopping, leaving their doors unlocked, purses in the cart, etc, and therefore more opportunity to commit a crime. Just take the normal precautions that you do every day (lock doors, keep purse close, park in lit areas, etc), that's pretty much all you need to do. No need to add extra worries.
sigh.
We have had a rash of attempted abductions. THe perpetrators are following school buses.
It's ridiculous that I have to have my 16 yo daughter stay after with a teacher so I know she is safe.
The police have been watching my neighbor, they have been at our busstop 4 times in the last 3 weeks. It is 1/2 mile away from our house on a dirt road with only 5 houses.
So her phone has 911 on speed dial and she stays after when I can't be there to get her off the bus like a 5 yo.
I hate to make her so paranoid or to live like this but one was a 15 yo at 6AM at her busstop. Another was 9 getting off the bus, there were two more bus stop related ones and a 20 yo girl walking down the road.
Added: Katrina, I just saw on the news that you can adapt your iPhone with an app to steal credit card information from a closed purse or wallet.
We had our number stolen by a Walmart employee, but I still shop at Walmart.
I seem to live in an area that is always the season for crime. We have found out that some of the management companies will rob the houses they are supposed to be caring for in our neighborhood. I guess when you live in a major tourist area you have to be prepared. I would suggest for everyone to always be alert no matter what time of the year it is.
We live in LITERALLY (knock on wood) a "no crime area". Abductions are custody battle related, burglaries are people's own kids stealing stuff, etc. I don't care, I've lived a lot of places, I'm always ALERT. Last year I went "all Brooklyn" on someone I thought was potentially messing with my kids in a store. IN the store I was like, 'hmm he seems to be giving my kids a little too much attention' to myself (he kept "passing us" and saying playful things to them and ignoring me, multiple times) THEN he was sort of walking behind us in the parking lot, MAYBE TO HIS CAR- I didn't even know- I just turned on one heel in broad day light and was like, 'CAN I HELP YOU WITH SOMETHING?" At the top of my lungs. Then he started yelling at me like, "what's wrong with you , you b__tch" and got all scary and weird so I help up my phone and told him I already dialed 911 and he walked away to a totally different aisle and got in his car and sped away!!!! What was he going to do exactly following us in a grocery store lot in the afternoon with people around? I don't know, but I didn't let him get that far. Sort of like once I was being followed in the subways when I lived in Brooklyn and had to yell at a guy in front of a whole platform of people.
Dang scumbags.
Lock your car doors, even in your driveway.
I never thought I had to worry about this where I live, but 4 guys tore through the neighborhood last May and broke into about 30 cars. You'd be amazed by some of the things people leave in their cars.
Out of ours they only got a used, crappy GPS, an old cell phone headphone, CDs, my owners manual and, sadly, about 100 of my son's favorite books! :(
The police caught the guys and we are supposed to receive reparation of $90 (a fraction of the expense to replace everything), but I doubt we'll ever see a dime.
I don't ever think of this. I guess because I live across from the police dept and we live in a low crime area. And I rarely go out at night. Thanks for the reminder that I should be more aware of my surroundings as you never know when something can occur. =)
We have an alarm, a very loud alarm. The other problem is portable valuables are in the safe with the guns. I have the feeling someone breaking in our home during the day would be very disappointed. Even the TV is locked to the wall mount which is bolted to studs.
Pretty much they would have enough to time figure out they aren't getting anything before the police arrive. Then again with my luck the lock would piss them off and they would break the TV in spite.
My two cents ...
After shopping, when unloading your cart of groceries into your trunk, HOLD TIGHT OF YOUR PURSE. Don't leave it in the cart while you're unloading. Them is easy pickin's. I've seen it happen to a woman as I was walking into the grocery store. He ran past so fast and jumped into a waiting car and he was gone!
I never the leave the house at the same time - even taking the boys to the bus stop in the AM - we vary it every day.
I never leave my purse unattended.
I DO pay attention to my surroundings...I pay attention to the car(s) I park next to.
I look people in the eye when I'm walking, smile at them and acknowledge them...
While, knock on wood, we have never had a crime in our neighborhood in 15 years, we lock our doors. We pay attention to who pulls into our neighborhood - since we live at the end of a cul-de-sac you see more.
We close our blinds at night....
We have a dog.
I know there is more - but you get the gist....now I'm off to bed - busy day again tomorrow!!
Wasp spray. Keep a can around someplace easily accessible by you (not your children obviously). Try to keep it near entryways. Wasp spray to the face will stop pretty much anyone from doing anything.
