When you think about it, Cindy Lou Who had a big impact on Christmas crime. Cindy Lou is the little Whoville girl in the Dr. Seuss book who changes the Grinch’s mind about stealing Christmas.
Think of it as “a crime averted.”
Now, Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch want to “pay it forward” by convincing us all not to be complacent and become victims of “Christmas crime.”
Porch pirates love the stuff you paid for and conveniently left for them on your porch. Did you really leave it for hours, so crooks could pick it up?
“With a little forethought, we can do a lot to keep ourselves safe from Christmas crooks,” says Linda Annis, executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, in a statement. “We especially have to thwart porch pirates who follow delivery trucks and steal packages within minutes of delivery. If you see a crime in action, call 9-1-1 or the local police. And if you have information about what nefarious deeds somebody’s up to, but want to remain anonymous, call us at Crime Stoppers by phone, online, or through our “P3” smartphone app.”
CINDY LOU’S (AND CRIME STOPPERS’) TIPS FOR A SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON
- So many packages, so many porches. Easy pickings! If you’re not able to watch for your delivery, ask neighbours to help watch. You can return the favour for them too.
- Close your blinds and have home video security cameras watch for deliveries and crooks. Feed the images to your smartphone. Maybe you’ll spot a crook stealing your Christmas lawn display.
- Think twice before clicking “yes” on that online shopping cart. 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.
- On vacay? Maybe think about posting that selfie as a “#latergram.” Remember, your post tells the whole world you’re not at home. Hope you have a good home security package!
- 65-inch TV just in time for Super Bowl? Great, but hide all that cardboard until you recycle it. Boxes from expensive gifts “outside” your house tell thieves the expensive gift can be found just “inside”.
- Etch it - mark your property in case it’s stolen. Ask local police to help etch your property with your driver’s license number. Also photograph valuables showing their make, model and serial number.
TIPS - DOWNTOWN AND AT THE MALL
- Your car is not supposed to be a mall for thieves. Before you lock up your car, leave nothing visible inside. Not even pocket change or empty bottles or cans.
- Keep it “light”. Find a busy, well-lit section of the parking lot and lock your gifts out of sight in the trunk.
- 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 from something in the car, considers that an open invitation to come check out your garage!
- Watch your pockets in the mall - Keep purses and wallets where you can keep track of them and thwart pickpockets who look to take advantage while jostling with holiday crowds.
