RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WIS) -
Authorities say while it's
no secret that property crime rises during the holiday season, there are things
you can do to help avoid becoming a victim of a home burglary.
First, remember the scene of the crime could
very well start on your smart phone or your computer. As social media continues
to grow, so does how the ‘bad guys' use it according to Lieutenant Rafael
Gonzalez with the Richland County Sheriff's Department.
"I know you want to share information with
friends and family, but don't post where you're going be and how long you're
going to be there," said Lt. Gonzalez. "You'll be surprised how thieves
can get on that social media website and find out, one, where you live at, who
you are and how long you're going to be gone."
So Gonzalez says don't broadcast
specifics. That includes "checking in" places on certain social media accounts.
His second tip, come up with a plan. "Make a list, be ready for your trip, but
also when you leave your home, you don't want to come to a home that's been
burglarized for vandalized," said Lt. Gonzalez.
He says don't leave signs that show you're
not around. "If your mail's not being checked, it's going to have an
"over carry" of mail…and once they see 3 and 4 newspapers in the front yard
they know that house is empty, so that's free game for the thief," said Lt.
Gonzalez.
If you do not have someone who can check your
mail for you, a spokesman with the United States Postal Service in Columbia
says you can call 1-800-ASKUSPS or go to USPS.com to place a hold on your mail.
Lt. Gonzalez says timed lights are another
good thief deterrent around the holidays. "Go to your local warehouse and get a
little light [timer] where you can just put it where the lights come on every
30 minutes, every hour, in certain parts of the room [or house]," said
Gonzalez. He adds the more movement that appears to be at your home, the
better.
Lt. Gonzalez says even if you have a neighbor
or friend check-up on your home, don't forget the Sheriff's Department can too.
"It's a service we offer free of service because the last thing we want you to
do is be away, out of town, enjoying your holidays and come back to a home
that's been burglarized or something that's gone wrong at your home," he added.
Many city and county law enforcement around
the Midlands offer free property checks. If you do sign up, deputies say don't
forget to tell them if you will have someone else checking on your home, as
well. "We definitely don't want to run into someone
why we're checking your house and not know or not see it on our checklist,"
said Lt. Gonzalez.
For
more contact the Richland County Sheriff's Department at (803) 576-3000 or
visit http://www.rcsd.net/prog/propcheck.html.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
