SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Police Department wants to remind us that while the holiday season is a busy time for many, it’s not the time to let your guard down. SDPD shared tips with CBS 8 on how to better protect yourself this time of year.
“We definitely want to enjoy the holiday season. Everyone’s looking to get gifts for family members, friends, coworkers, but we want to take the time to remind ourselves of the safety tips that are out there,” said Sgt. Ariel Savage, who has been with San Diego Police for twenty years.
He says while we’re out and about shopping or otherwise, it’s important to take precautions.
“Maybe go shopping with a partner or go in groups. When you drive to the malls, make sure you lock your doors and have your windows rolled up, and if you have any packages in your vehicle from shopping at a previous store, make sure you cover it up with a blanket so nobody that walks by readily can see those items,” said Savage.
“When you do arrive at stores, make sure you’re parking in well-lit areas where you’re very visible to everyone around," said Savage.
If you’re stopping by an ATM to grab some quick cash, it’s important to be focused and aware while avoiding distractions.
“Try not to have your heads buried in your cell phones, be aware of your surroundings. When you’re at the ATM machine, cover up your pin number,” said Savage. “Maybe scan the ATM, you don’t want any odd devices attached to ATMs, no skimmers or anything like that.”
With packages sitting on doorsteps ready for the taking, one way to avoid falling victim to porch pirates is to make arrangements with a neighbor.
“If you have a neighbor that’s willing to help you out, you can call them or text them and say, ‘Hey, I had a package arrive. Would you mind getting that package for me and keep it until I get home,’” said Savage.
Police say keeping a few common sense ideas top of mind can make you less of a target.
“Make sure that we’re aware of our surroundings. Make sure we’re locking our doors on our vehicles and using trusted websites if we’re purchasing things on the internet,” said Savage.
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