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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2006 > December > 04 > Entry
Preventing holiday rip offs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Christmas is a time when we mentally gear up for the gonzo-shopping sessions that bring our friends and family great joy and massive debt to our worn out credit cards. It’s a time for us to reflect on many things, including that whole fruitcake business.
One thing you need to remember is this: Crooks don’t take the holidays off. Nope. Business as usual. In fact it’s the busy season for most because there is so much stuff to get.
The end-of-year holiday season - with all its hustle and bustle - is a time of distractions and activity. We sometimes forget the basics for maintaining our safety on the streets and at home. Opportunity is the criminal’s key to crime. By staying alert and following a few crime prevention tips, you can ensure a holiday season that is both happy and safe. A primary factor in crime prevention is being aware of surroundings and potential areas of danger - thereby closing the criminal’s keyhole of opportunity.
Busy shoppers can be targeted for purse snatching and other forms of street robbery. The malls are full of folks with money to spend. As we speed along, focused on getting through our treasure hunt, a criminal can size up a potential victim. Some tips:
• Outside of the mall, stick to well-lit, well-traveled streets, walkways and parking areas - for both walking and parking.
• Don’t flash large amounts of cash. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. use checks or credit cars.
• Carry only the credit cards you intend to use, leave the others behind.
• Carry a purse or shoulder bag close to your body, not dangling by straps. Put a wallet in an inside pocket of your coat or front pants pocket.
• Don’t fumble for house or car keys. Have them in your hand, ready to use when you reach the door.
• If possible, avoid carrying a large purse when shopping. A fanny pack is compact and more difficult for a thief to grab and run.
• Use ATMs wisely. Have the card ready before approaching the machine, and use one in a high traffic area.
• Be aware of the environment. Don’t walk or park in poorly lit areas. Don’t take so-called short cuts through wooded areas.
• If you believe someone is following you, cross the street, switch directions, walk into a store or restaurant. If you are really scared, yell. Don’t be embarrassed. Your safety is more important. Make some noise and draw attention.
• If you have a fruitcake, use it as a weapon.
Additional tips regarding the car or house you’ve left behind while on your travels.
• ALWAYS lock your car and residence, even if you are away for only a few moments.
• Do NOT leave valuables - gifts, cell phones, purse or clothing - in open view in your car. Take valuables away with you, lock them in your trunk or cover them in an unobtrusive way.
• Leave lights turned on both inside and outside your residence after dark. Criminals don’t like bright places.
• If you will be away from home for several days, make arrangements for someone to pick up your mail and newspapers. An overstuffed mailbox is a sure sign that no one is home, and burglars are tempted to check those envelopes for holiday gifts that might be enclosed.
The police department I work for offers assistance to travelers who live in Sandy Springs. E-mail steve.rose@sandyspringsga.org or ask for a SSPD House-Check form if you’re going to be gone.
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Comments
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By Brenda
December 4, 2006 1:45 PM | Link to this
Steve, these are really great safety tips. However my favorite is: Use the fruit cake as a weapon. I will have to agree because that is all a Fruitcake is good for (defending yourself).That was really, really funny Steve. Thanks for the Tips.
By CMH
December 4, 2006 1:58 PM | Link to this
At least I’m not the only one who does not understand the concept of fruitcake Fruit = good cake = good fruit + cake = gross
Thanks for all the tips.
By Kenn
December 4, 2006 7:03 PM | Link to this
Do you need a carry permit for the fruitcake if it’s concealed?
By Political Foreskin
December 5, 2006 7:45 AM | Link to this
Crooks wont steal fruitcake, (except in san francisco), so why bother with safety tips?
You know, Officer Steve, maybe you know how to contaminate a crime scene, or mutate the blue flu so that it transmits from cop to informant, but you know nothing about gay holiday menu appertives, and I’d simply stick to what you know, if I were you.
By Babs
December 7, 2006 4:43 AM | Link to this
Polictical, he’s trying to remind us to be careful in a fun way. Why dont you go somewhere where your wanted. I hate you.
By Stephen
December 7, 2006 4:02 PM | Link to this
And let us not forget the scammers who want to part you from your money by the scam e-mails. If it sounds too good to be true, like you have won the UK lottery, misspellings and all and you reply to the scammer using Yahoo Europe addresses, don’t give them the bank routing infor or even credit card numbers.
Another is the stock hype scam. The too good to be true rant that if you invest in such and such stock your profit potential can bee %300. How ever that if for them and not you.
If traveling and you have a flat tire, the old fruit cake makes an excellant wheel chock to keep the rig from rolling away with your better-half still inside.
Stay safe folks.
By Steve
December 8, 2006 7:30 AM | Link to this
Also be aware of the “I’m stranded…” trick that some scammers will try to pull.
Just the other week, in Roswell at a Shell station, I was approached by a guy who started out by saying “I’m not a bum, but…”. He claimed to have wanted someone to take him somewhere to help buy him and his kid some groceries… or at least that was his story.
After I left the Shell station, I called Roswell Police on their non-emergency number to report the matter, giving them a description of the individual.
I realize that this may sound callous to you, but these days, you never know. May y’all have a happy and safe Christmas season.
By Political Foreskin
December 8, 2006 9:45 AM | Link to this
The panhandler-with-story is an old trick which peaked about five years ago. These are professional panhandlers who are going for more than just five or twenty dollars. They want fifty, a hundred or more.
They have a narration, they use acting, and some of them are quite good. You’d think they’d try for the stage and really make it, but no, they are panhandlers, grifters, and ne’er do wells.
BTW: Officer Steve knows I was just methin’ wid ‘im. Only a true mitochondrial mutant would have taken my blog seriously, Bibs. Babs. (whatever).
(o)
By jonny489
December 16, 2006 4:18 PM | Link to this
jonny117