With the holiday season in full swing, the Grand Junction Police Department is reminding all residents to prioritize their safety. Increased traveling, shopping, and gathering can create opportunities for thieves to take advantage of the community.
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
Home Safety:
- Make sure your windows and doors are secure when leaving your home, even if you will only be gone for a short time.
- Avoid displaying gifts where they can be easily seen from outside. This allows potential suspects to ‘window shop’ before they break in.
- Use timers for your lights to give the impression that someone is home.
- Let a trusted neighbor or friend know if you will be gone for an extended period.
- Be home when packages are delivered or have a trusted neighbor retrieve them. Don’t leave them on your porch for extended periods of time.
Shopping Safety:
- Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
- Lock your car doors and don’t leave valuables inside. When out shopping, don’t leave packages sitting in the open.
- Keep your wallet and purse secure. It’s best to keep them on your person.
- Take a shopping companion, especially after dark.
Online Shopping Safety:
- Monitor bank accounts and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized transactions.
- Only shop on secure websites.
- Be cautious of sales that seem too good to be true.
- Be wary of phishing scams. Avoid clicking on unverified links.
The Grand Junction Police Department wants to ensure that our community has a wonderful holiday season, but it is important that we all work together to keep our community safe. By taking a few precautions, we can strive for a joyous and incident-free holiday for everyone.