What Do Grizzly Bears, Car Burglars and Holiday Gift Shopping
Have in Common?

Two men are hiking in the woods. Completely by accident, they stumble upon a big ol' grizzly bear. Upon seeing the two men, the grizzly bear stands on its hind legs, emits a low, threatening growl, and prepares to attack. One of the men responds by pausing, removing his backpack, and reaching inside it for his tennis shoes. As he begins taking off his hiking boots to put them on, the other man asks in surprise, 'Why are you putting those on? You can't outrun the bear.' To this, the first man responds, 'No. But I can outrun you.'

Okay, that story may or may not be true, but it has been passed around for years and it lays the perfect foundation for the point of being safe.

Car burglary is a crime of opportunity
During the holidays, many communities experience a rise in car burglaries, auto theft and other crimes, especially in mall parking lots. When the economy is in a slump, the increase in crime is more dramatic.

Now picture your unlocked, unattended car filled with holiday gifts, sitting in a dark mall parking lot next to several locked, empty cars. Some of them have car alarms or other anti-theft devices. Which automobile do you think the car burglar will choose?

Just as bears chase the target requiring the least amount of effort to catch, car burglars and car thieves usually attack the easiest prey in their path. They prefer the car that is simple to open unnoticed, and contains valuables that can be stolen and concealed quickly. The fact is, car burglary and car theft are almost always crimes of opportunity.

Don't invite car burglary
Police say you can never totally prevent crime from happening. If someone really wants to steal your car or take your GPS system and other personal items, they will do it. Your first concern should always be for your personal safety. Above and beyond that, you can help prevent crimes of opportunity like these by making it more difficult to commit them.

In a nutshell, target hardening is exactly what it sounds like: using the circumstances within your control to make it "harder" for a criminal to "target" you. Whether it's installing a car alarm, choosing a well-lit space in the mall parking lot or emptying your car of valuables before doing your holiday gift shopping, there are plenty of easy steps you can take to discourage a car burglar and promote car safety.

Important Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Crime prevention: preparation is the best defense

• Don't tempt the car burglar. MP3 players, iPods, cell phones, laptop computers, GPS systems, satellite radios and other small electronic devices are a car burglar's dream. Small and easy to conceal, these are the types of items most often stolen from a car. Sitting in plain sight, they attract a thief's attention.
• Know when and where you intend to do your holiday gift shopping, and don't leave personal valuables in your car. Instead, plan ahead and leave them at home or stash them out of sight. Always lock your car, close the windows and shut your sunroof, too.
• When possible, shop during daylight hours and park in a well-lit, highly trafficked area of the mall parking lot.
• Just like you shouldn't drive while distracted, you shouldn't do your holiday gift shopping when you are distracted. Leave yourself plenty of time to shop for the holidays. According to the police, holiday shoppers make perfect targets for car burglars and other thieves. Whether they're distracted by children, in a hurry to get home or carrying packages to the car while chatting on a cell phone or digging for keys, these shoppers are typically unaware of their surroundings and potentially unsafe situations. Police recommend you find a good babysitter to watch your children while you shop for holiday gifts, and go on a day when you won't have to rush.

Prevent crime: report suspicious behavior

• If something you see or hear makes you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, it's probably because it should. Depending on the level of threat, police recommend calling mall security or your local police department if you witness any suspicious or criminal activity while doing your holiday gift shopping.

Invest in crime prevention: buy an anti-theft device

• Steering-wheel-locking products like The Club® vehicle anti-theft device can help deter a car thief. A good car alarm can help protect you from a car burglary, and possibly qualify you for a car-insurance discount. Other types of car safety and security systems, like Lo Jack®, can help you recover your vehicle and any contents if it is stolen.

For more information, please visit MaracayHomes.com or call 480-970-6000.