Linda Annis offered a holiday message for shoppers: don’t let Christmastime Grinches steal your Christmas or your Christmas cheer.
Annis, executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, gave her annual tips for a crime-free Christmas at a home in Cloverdale Dec. 9.
“Every year, we ask the Grinch himself to help us remind people to follow some very common-sense precautions,” she said. “Nonetheless, every year we hear stories of people who still take chances with their valuables and their personal safety. That’s why we like to come out as the shopping season heats up with some helpful reminders, and a few things people might not have thought about.”
Annis, who is also a Surrey city councillor, said the message is “especially important” as the year draws to a close and concerns with crime and public safety are riding.
“Now is not the time to let down our guard when it comes to porch pirates, purse snatchers, home break-ins, parking lot B&Es and online fraudsters,” she said. “If you see a crime in action, call 9-1-1 or the local police right away. And if you have information about what nefarious deeds somebody’s up to, or see a suspicious person in the neighbourhood, but want to remain anonymous, call us at Crime Stoppers.”
She added if anyone has information, they can telephone Crime Stoppers, use the P3 smartphone app to report crime anonymously, or visit solvecrime.ca.
“Your anonymity is guaranteed by the Supreme Court of Canada. You’ll never be questioned or called to testify.”
Annis, the Grinch, and little Cindy Lou Who teamed up to stage safety scenarios. Their efforts helped illustrate the dos and dont’s for the holidays as it pertained to shopping, both at stores and online.
Annis ended her remarks with a few red hot, Grinch-thwarting tips to help prevent the onset of some Christmas blues.
At home:
1.) Don’t leave easy pickings for porch pirates
Ask neighbours to help keep an eye on your front door for deliveries. Some thieves actually follow delivery trucks to people’s homes so they can steal parcels as soon as the truck is gone.
2.) Keep an eye on your home security video app
Use your video camera feeds to watch for both deliveries and crooks. Maybe you’ll spot someone stealing your Christmas lawn display, or packages from your porch.
3.) Register your doorbell and home security cameras
Where programs exist, register your doorbell and home security cameras to help police quickly find recordings of neighbourhood crimes. Voluntary programs in some cities, like Project Iris in Surrey, could help police solve a break-in or other crime at your house or your neighbour’s.
4.) Think twice before clicking “yes” on that online shopping cart
Does the website you’re buying from, and the merch you buying, look legit? Maybe it’s cheaper that it really should be? Organized retail crime costs Canadians almost $5 billion a year, so buy from established businesses, not unknown sources. Shoplifted or stolen goods may be sold online or through flea markets, with the money often going to gangs dealing in drugs or illegal weapons.
5.) Social Media
Think about who might be watching your sunny vacation pics on social media. Remember, your post from the beach tells the whole world you’re not at home – and that includes thieves.
6.) Recycling and Garbage
Large empty boxes outside your home tell everyone what valuable goodies are inside your house to steal. Boxes from that gaming computer, 65-inch TV, or other expensive gifts should be stored out of sight until the cardboard can be recycled. You can also close blinds to keep people from seeing inside your house.
7.) Etch It
Etch your valuables in case they’re stolen. Ask local police to help etch your property with your driver’s license number. Also photograph valuables showing make, model and serial number.
Downtown:
1.) Theft
Theft is getting worse, so don’t leave valuables visible in your car. Before you lock up your car to go shopping, leave nothing visible inside. Not even pocket change or empty bottles or cans. And don’t fill your car with gifts and then go back into more stores. Someone may be watching what you’ve bought.
2.) Keep it “lit”
Find a busy, well-lit section of the parking lot and lock your gifts out of sight in the trunk.
3.) Garage Door
Leave your garage door opener at home or in your pocket. A thief who takes your remote sitting from your console, and finds your address somewhere in the car, considers that an open invitation to come open your garage for a look.
4.) Pockets and Purses
Watch your pockets in busy stores. Keep purses and wallets where you can keep track of them and thwart pickpockets who look to take advantage while jostling with holiday crowds.
Visit Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers for more info.
