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Tallahassee Police Department: Holiday Security Tips
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| Holiday Security Tips By Andy Berentsen Tallahassee Police Department
|  | | Your safety is of the utmost importance to the Tallahassee Police Department.
During the holiday season, Crime tends to increase. The Tallahassee Police Department offers the following safety tips to assist you in having safer and happier holidays. | | HOLIDAY SHOPPING • Go shopping with a friend. There is safety in numbers. • When arriving at your intended destination, where do you park? Your vehicle should be parked in a location that is highly visible. Close to the entrance and will remain will lit after dark. • When leaving your vehicle, always make sure it is completely secured. | 
| | • When approaching your vehicle, check the area for people that seem to be loitering. If someone or something does not seem right or seems suspicious, do not go to your vehicle. If you are at a mall, contact Mall Security as they can escort you to your vehicle or watch/patrol the area s you walk to your vehicle. In an area that may not have security, return to the business and request they contact law enforcement to have them check the area. • If you return to your vehicle to place packages inside, place them in the truck. If this is not possible, place them on the floorboard and cover them. There may be someone watching and waiting for you to leave your vehicle. Ideally, the best recommendation is to move your vehicle to a new location. It should appear that you are leaving the area. • Never leave property inside the passenger compartment of your vehicle that is visible to people walking by. If it catches your eye, it will catch a potential burglar's eye, too! • Purses should be held close to the center of your body when your arms are full. Purses hanging down by your side become an attractive target. A fanny pack could be used in place of a purse. • Have your keys ready before you get to your vehicle. Fumbling for you keys while standing at your vehicle could give a potential criminal just enough time to make you a victim. • As you approach your vehicle look under it. Once at your vehicle, check inside. You are checking for someone inside or the possibility that you vehicle has been tampered with during your absence. This process takes only a couple of seconds. | | 
| LEAVING HOME When you may be shopping for only a few minutes or all day, it is important to make sure your home is properly secured. • Always make sure all exterior doors and windows are properly closed and locked when you leave. Most burglaries are crime of opportunity, an unlocked/open door/window provide the opportunity.
• Garage doors should be closed and locked.
• For all day trips, make sure interior lights are on timers. This serves two functions. First, it will appear someone is home. Second, you will come home to a house that is not dark. Exterior lighting can usually be equipped with photocell. This will activate exterior lighting automatically. | | RETURNING HOME
• Upon entering your vehicle lock all doors. This increased the strength of the door during a crash and prevents unwanted passengers while you are stopped. • As you arrive home, check for strangers or strange vehicles loitering near or around your residence. • If you feel you are being followed, DO NOT GO HOME! Go to a well-lighted, populated area and call police. • Never exit your vehicle until you feel safe. If you feel the area is not secure, leave the area and contact police. • Have your house/apartment key in hand and ready before exiting your vehicle. • Do not enter your home if a door is ajar or a window is broken, immediately contact the police. | | Have the Tallahassee Police Department and Leon County Sheriff's Office phone numbers programmed in your cell phone. You never know when you might need to call a non-emergency line. TPD: (850) 891-4200 LCSO: (850) 922-3300 And, of course, if it is an emergency, always dial 911. | 
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Tags: Tallahassee Police Department Holiday Security Tips
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