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Holiday shopping safety tips
Be alert, aware and take steps to prevent theft
The holiday season is an opportune time for crime. The Camarillo Police Department advises residents not to allow the spirit of giving to lull them into giving burglars and thieves a better chance to make them victims of a crime. When shopping Stay alert and aware of what is going on around you. Always be sure to park in a well-lit space. Be sure to lock the car, close the windows and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay with a credit card whenever possible. Deter pickpockets and pursesnatchers by being extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to the body, not dangling by the straps. Put wallets in an inside coat or front pants pocket. Do not become overburdened with packages. When unloading a shopping cart, place a purse inside the car before loading other items. Typically, thieves wait until a shopper's back is turned to steal a purse from the shopping cart. Many times the victim does not realize her purse is stolen until she arrives at her next stop. When shopping with children, teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if they get separated from the family. When traveling Get an automatic timer for house lights. Ask a neighbor to watch the home and request a house check from the police department. Have mail and newspaper deliveries stopped. If these pile up, it is a sure sign the family is away. When out for the evening Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks and sounds like someone is home. Be prudent about locking doors and windows when leaving, even if it is just for a few minutes. Do not display gifts where they can be seen from the outside. Charitable donations It is common for people to try to take advantage of others' generosity during the holidays by asking for donations for nonexistent charities. Oftentimes it's difficult to know if a charity is legitimate. It is important to research the legitimacy of an organization before giving a donation. If in doubt, make a contribution to a familiar charitable organization instead. For further information on holiday safety tips, call Senior Dep. Robert Maclean at (805) 388-5130 or e-mail robert .maclean@ventura.org. |
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