A CRIME FREE HOLIDAY BEGINS WITH AWARENESS

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It's Holiday time again and the men and women of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are focused on our goal of preventing you from becoming the victim of crime. This is a time to be spent with family and friends, remembering our many blessings. It is also a time to exercise caution as you go about your holiday routines and rituals.

Many people think that crime goes up during times of economic downturn and hardship. The higher the unemployment rate, the greater a likelihood that someone may feel compelled to take property that is not rightfully theirs. That may be true. So, why take a chance?

CRIMES OF OPPORTUNITY
If you make a purchase of any significance, and you can't place it in the trunk of your car, we recommend you TAKE THE PACKAGE HOME and put it away, before moving on to another store for more shopping. Why create the "opportunity" for someone to smash your car window and grab a parcel right out of the car? Worse yet…and every time I say this people are shocked to hear it…. a large percentage of our reported auto burglary victims ADMIT to the officer that they didn't lock their cars.

The same holds true for leaving purses, and believe it or not, nice eyewear and loose change visible in the car. PDA's, especially those with personal information such as PIN numbers, are a great "gift" to the thief who wants to steal your stuff and then steal your identity.

Athletic gear (such as sneakers, jackets) are other "easy to sell on the street" items that might store conveniently in the back of your SUV but can be taken in just a matter of seconds. A thief would much rather be wearing your nice stuff than let you hang on to it. Especially if it's "hiding in plain view."

Purse snatchings or "sudden" snatchings – when someone runs past you and grabs something from you - are also opportunistic crimes, because many times the person who is victimized is distracted and the perpetrator knows this. Nothing signals an attacker better than a potential victim who is not concentrating on their surroundings; too busy talking with friends; on the mobile phone; reviewing a receipt from the store; fishing around for keys…these are all avoidable distractions.

If it's late, if you're loaded with packages, or if you just don't feel comfortable walking to you car alone…ask the store or mall security to walk out to your car with you.
 

PROPERTY CRIMES:
In neighborhoods where houses are empty, let say from a foreclosure, or worse, they are overgrown with weeds or unkempt because an absentee property owner/landlord has rented to individuals that haven't been screened, there is a greater likelihood that criminal activity will be drawn to the area. Vagrancy, vandalism, drug trafficking, etc. can occur more easily on unchecked property.

Be vigilant about what is going on in your neighborhood. Call the bank (if they are the title holder) or the owner wherever she or he lives, and tell them what is going on with the property. The property appraiser's website lists the title holder of all properties. Let your ShAdCo leaders know about it, too.

Avoid putting lavish displays of gifts under a tree where people driving past your home can see them. Especially if no one is home during the day. Arm your alarm each time you leave the house, if you have an alarm. With all the "garaging" and other types of opportunistic burglaries that occur, make sure to keep garage doors and gates closed and locked. Even when you are home. People driving up to your home, with its open garage, can empty out your garage in just seconds. Remember to keep checkbooks and personal financial information, such as bank statements locked up inside the house.

Don't answer the door for any salesperson or party unknown to you. This is a time of the year when panhandlers and those running confidence games find people to be particularly vulnerable and charitable. Use caution. Only give to those charities that provide you with financial statements and are recognized and legitimate. Don't give anyone your social security number over the phone, or via the internet, ever.

May peace, harmony and good will find you and your family this Holiday Season – and may your celebrations be joyous and free from worry.

God Bless,

Sheriff John H. Rutherford