Avoid Holiday Crime

For some, ‘tis the time to mug, pickpocket, rob, steal, and burgle. And national statistics indeed show that the rates of these crimes go up at this time of the year. Here is how common holiday crimes happen and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

Corvallis Police look at a crime as having three elements: desire or motive, means, and opportunity. All three elements have to be present for a crime to be committed. If you take away any one of the three, there is no crime. The first two elements relate to the perpetrator and therefore are beyond control of potential victims. However, the third element, presenting an opportunity, does relate to you and is something that you can control.

A great way to prevent a crime is to not present an opportunity for a perpetrator to act. For example, by leaving your purse or wallet in your car – even if your car is locked -- you are presenting an opportunity for a thief to steal it. But if you take it with you, there is not an opportunity for it to be stolen -- even though the perpetrator had the motive (needed money to buy drugs) and the means (a baseball bat to break your car window).

In this example, the opportunity for crime is avoided by removing the object to be stolen. And for the types of holiday crimes under consideration here – various forms of theft – removing the object is the single most effective action for you to take. In addition, there are several other things you can do to lessen the opportunity for a theft to occur.

When looking at the list of dos and don’ts below, keep in mind that criminals look for fast and easy ways to commit their crimes. And also be aware that they don’t want to be seen in the act, be identified, or be caught.

Remember, by making a crime more difficult to commit, take longer, and be more visible, you will decrease the chance that it will be committed.

Do these things while shopping

You can help yourself not be a mugging victim by: 1) being alert; 2) leaving purses and expensive jewelry at home; 3) carrying your wallet in your front pants pocket or inside jacket pocket; 4) shopping with a friend; 5) staying in well-lighted areas; 6) using a credit card rather than cash or checks; 7) have your key ready to unlock the door as you approach your car; 8) store packages out of sight, in your car’s trunk is best; and 9) carry and use a whistle if you feel threatened.

Do these things at home

You can help yourself not be a home burglary victim by: 1) keeping your home locked; 2) keeping your doors and windows well lighted; 3) keeping gift displays from being visible through a window; and 4) being part of an active Neighborhood Watch group.

Never do these things

Keep yourself from becoming a theft victim by not making yourself or your home an inviting target. Never: 1) flash money or jewelry; 2) carry your purse or wallet where it can be snatched; 3) overburden yourself with packages; 4) leave anything in your car’s passenger compartment; 5) allow strangers into your home; 6) leave boxes from electronic items on your curb for recycling; 7) give personal or financial information over the phone or by e-mail unless you initiated the contact.