From: OFC K. A. SODIMU--MPDC--4D--PSA-401 <mpdc2368@comcast.net>

Metropolitan Police Department: Winter Holiday Safety TipsMetropolitan
Police Department Holiday Safety Tips
This holiday season, don't let the spirit of giving lull you into
giving burglars, muggers, and pickpockets a better chance to do their
dirty work. Crooks love the holidays as much as everyone else,
especially because it's an opportune time for crime.

Homes jam-packed with glittering gifts. Stores, malls, and downtown
streets teeming with unsuspecting shoppers. People rushing around,
stressed out and careless, looking for last-minute gifts, trying to
get everything done. It's enough to make a crook giddy with holiday joy.

Here are some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season:

a.. If You Are Traveling
b.. If You Are Out for the Evening
c.. If You Are Shopping
d.. Protecting Your Vehicle
e.. If a Stranger Comes to the Door
f.. After You've Opened the Gifts
g.. Take a Holiday Inventory
h.. Celebrate Responsibly

If You Are Traveling

a.. Get an automatic timer for your lights.
b.. Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the
driveway from time to time.
c.. Don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it
piles up, it's a sure sign you're gone.

If You Are Out for the Evening

a.. Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone's home.
b.. Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave,
even if it's just for a few minutes.
c.. Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

If You Are Shopping

a.. Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
b.. Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close
the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
c.. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit
card whenever possible.
d.. Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself
with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse
close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an
inside coat or front pants pocket.
e.. Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security
guard if you get separated.
f.. More Theft and Pickpocket Prevention Tips

Protect Your Vehicle

Loading up on all those gifts is a sign of progress in the holiday
shopping. But if those packages are left out in the open after they're
in the car, your car has become a likely target for thieves. Remember
the old cliché "Out of sight, out of mind?" The same idea applies to
items in your car.

Always lock your vehicle and store all items out of sight. Breaking
into an empty car isn't worth a thief's time. However, anything left
in plain view - from your holiday gifts to spare change, sunglasses,
CDs, cell phones or briefcases - may tempt a thief.

Help prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car
and using anti-theft devices. And although it's cold, never leave your
vehicle running while you run inside your home or a store - even if
for only a minute or two.

If a Stranger Comes to the Door

Criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. And it's not
uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others' generosity
during the holidays by going door-to-door for charitable donations
when there's no charity involved. Ask for identification, and find out
how the funds will be used. If you aren't satisfied, don't give. Help
a charitable organization you know and like instead.

Last but not least, don't let holiday stress get the best of your
holiday spirit. Make time to get together with family, friends, and
neighbors. And think about reaching out in the spirit of the season
and helping someone who's less fortunate or lonely.

Do your part to make the holidays a safe and happy time for
everybody-except criminals.

After You've Opened the Gifts

Burglars know that many households have new, and oftentimes expensive,
items in their homes following the December holidays - especially
items such as new computers and peripherals, stereo components,
televisions, cameras and other electronic equipment. In too many
cases, residents make it easy for burglars to figure out which homes
to target by putting boxes that identify their new gifts in plain view
with their other garbage. Avoid becoming an easy target for
post-holiday burglars by not leaving boxes for new electronics and
other items in the alley or other garbage pick-up locations for
several days at a time. Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing
out, put them in garbage bags and place them inside a trash can. (In
many cases, especially with computer equipment, you might consider
keeping the boxes for safe storage, shipping or moving in the future.)
Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside - in a garage, for
example - until the evening before your regular garbage pick-up. Some
burglars actually look inside garbage cans for evidence of holiday
gifts. And, of course, if you see someone suspicious casing your
alley, call the Metropolitan Police Department's non-emergency number,
3-1-1. If you see a burglary in progress, call 9-1-1.

Take a Holiday Inventory

The holidays are a good time to update-or create-your home inventory.
Take photos or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial
numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can
help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file.

Make sure things like TVs, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras,
camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office
equipment, and power tools are on the list. Remember to check it twice!

Celebrate Responsibly

The holiday season is a time of celebration and revelry. Drinking and
driving is a danger to everyone on the road. Anyone with a BAC of .08
or higher is in violation of DC law and may go to jail. Remember that
the risk isn't worth it-if you choose to drink alcohol at a party,
don't drive. Take a cab, use public transportation or a designated
driver, or call SoberRide® (800-200-TAXI), a free cab service in DC
and the surrounding area active from the middle of December through
January 1. Have fun, but remember to celebrate responsibly.