Ask the Expert: Safe Practices for the Holiday Season

The holidays often come hand-in-hand with gift-giving, tip-leaving and getaways. These activities can also lead to more opportunities for crime. Patch sat down with Detective Herb Peterson of the to get some tips for staying safe and avoiding crime this holiday season.

Shopping Around Town

When you are out doing your and making returns, "Cars should be locked," said Peterson.

"Keep presents and valuables out of view the trunk," he advised.

And when you are out shopping, keep an eye on your things at all times.

"People can reach in and take things out of open bags," he said. "Don't leave things unattended."

While it's tempting to drive faster than usual when you are rushing around for the holidays, Peterson said drivers need to be especially aware of pedestrians.

"We do have quite a few seniors," he added.

Leaving Tips

A big problem this time of year is people taking tips residents leave for services such as garbage pickup and mail delivery.

"People are driving around in the early morning and looking for these envelopes in mailboxes, garbage cans," said Peterson. "It's a very common thing."

For Businesses

Offices and residents are advised to be careful when leaving items out to be shipped by Fed Ex and UPS.

Perpetrators have been known to "dress in all brown and walk around with a clipboard," said Peterson.

If you see or are approached by someone who appears to be a delivery person, make sure they are in uniform and that their truck is in the area, he suggested.

Dining and dashing has also gone up in the village, said Peterson.

"People are ordering food and asking to step outside for a cigarette and are not coming back," he said. "Be careful about people leaving without paying the bill."

Leaving Town

When you are going out of town, don't let your mail accumulate—this is a clear indication that nobody is home.

Pleasantville has a "Dark House Request" form that residents can fill out and leave with the Police Department when they are planning to leave town. The form asks information including if anyone else has keys or permission to access the house or business and contact information in case of an energency.

"For residents, we like to remind them we do check on houses," said Peterson.

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