It’s hard to not get excited about the discounts and deals of Black Friday, but tackling the shops for holiday shopping can get pretty stressful. So why make a tense day worse by making it easier for criminals to break into your car as you try and get your shopping done?
That’s why the Insurance Council of Texas and the South Plains Auto Theft Task Force are asking shoppers to be apart of their statewide initiative: “Lock your car, Take your keys and Hide your possessions” this month.
As easy as that may sound, they say an alarming number of Texans are not doing so while they’re out shopping.
“So many people leave their vehicles unlocked, it’s an amazing number and those are the cars that criminals prey on. They’re looking around, they’re looking for an opportunity,” said Mark Hanna, with the Insurance Council of Texas. “These days, things are little bit different, and criminals are trying to take advantage of a situation where people aren’t preparing their vehicle aren’t locking their home. Don’t be a victim.”
The council and task force teamed up to place 100 “Lock, Take, Hide” signs across Lubbock before Black Friday hits. The signs were provided to the stores for free by the council.
“We’ve been distributing these signs all across the state for the last 10 years and police officers have done all kinds of data and wherever these signs are placed, they see a 20 percent reduction in both auto burglaries and auto thefts,” said Hanna.
However, it’s not only stores and shoppers who are advised to remain on high alert this holiday season. Thieves will also be frequenting hotel parking lots more this time of year.
“Right now the hotels are really big, you’ve got football season going on, you’ve got hunting season going on right now and so you have a lot of hunters coming in,” said Mandy Myers, the Crime Prevention Coordinator South Plains Auto Theft Task Force. “As much of a hassle as that is, go ahead and bring all your belongings in. Don’t travel with just an overnight bag, bring all of your suitcases in, bring all of your presents.”
Myers also advises that if you prefer to do your holiday shopping online, to have your packages delivered to your work place versus your home as thieves may also be rolling through neighborhoods to see what you have at your doorstep.
Another piece of advice: break your boxes down and take them to the dumpster (or recycle!) when you’re finished with them.
“Get rid of them. That way no one is walking by or driving by and can see someone in the house has a new 56″ TV,” said Myers.
So, as you prepare to tackle those big Black Friday sales and deals, make sure you’re not the one giving anyone a good holiday steal.
“Lock your car, it takes just a second,” advised Hanna. “Don’t become a victim.”
