LaVergne Police Dept. sends out Christmas warning

Dec 16, 2014 at 04:42 pm by bryan


The La Vergne Police Department is warning residents to take extra safety precautions during the holiday season to protect yourself, your family and your property.

"'Tis the season once again and this time of year seems to be a preferred time that robbers, thieves, scam artists, cons, and those who would commit identity theft become somewhat more active," said Assistant Police Chief Keith Lowery. "As you go about your holiday shopping and festivities, please keep in mind that it can certainly be very beneficial to be cautious when conducting purchases, either in person or via the internet."

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The police suggest following these tips this holiday season and throughout the year:

  • Secure valuables (purses, keys, phones, tablets, GPS mapping units, and etc.) within the cabin of your vehicle and to keep them out of "plain sight". These make a quick grab through a broken window for a thief.
  • Lock your home and vehicle, as both are often targeted by thieves looking for Christmas gifts.
  • Don't leave your vehicle running unlocked and unattended in a driveway or even the gas pumps, Thieves will wait until you walk or look away at the pumps and quickly reach inside to grab anything or even steal the vehicle.
  • Place purchases from stores away from view or inside the trunk of your vehicle, while conducting your shopping.
  • Keep a close eye on your wallets or purses, and preferably keep the purse fastened and closed. Thieves can quickly slip a wallet right out of a purse while you are distracted and shopping for items.

Chief Lowery also suggests that if you are expecting a package, leave special instructions for the delivery company with a time, different address, or specific location (back patio for example) to deliver the item, or to notify a friend or neighbor to watch for your delivery. "Most shipping companies allow for advanced notice via email or text of the intended or expected date and time of the delivery," Lowery said.

After gifts are exchanged and you are certain that you may not need the original box in which the item was packaged, it is also a good idea to "break down" and dispose of the boxes as they can be advertisements of the brand new items that are now located within the residence.

"I hope that these tips can help, so that we all have a wonderful holiday season," said Chief Lowery.

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