The holiday season brings joy, generosity and togetherness. But it also carries risk. Each year, communities nationwide experience an increase in crimes of opportunity such as vehicle burglaries, package thefts, online scams and home invasions.

People’s carelessness doesn’t cause these incidents. They happen because criminals know we’re distracted.

As a former police chief, I’ve seen how quickly a celebration can become a crime scene. I’ve also seen how simple safety measures can prevent that from happening. Holiday safety isn’t about fear, it’s about awareness.

Lock it, light it, don’t leave clues

Start with your home. Lock all doors and windows, even when you’re inside. Don’t hide spare keys under doormats or planters as those are the first places criminals check. Use timers or motio

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