Don’t let opportunistic burglars spoil your holidays! Follow these tips from Allen Police to keep your belongings safe.
- Each time you leave your vehicle, follow the warning to “Lock, Take & Hide:” lock your car, take your keys and hide your belongings. Approximately 25% of vehicle break-ins in Allen target unlocked vehicles.
- Avoid leaving wallets, purses or cell phones in your vehicle, even if they are stashed out of sight. These items usually contain personal information that can put you at risk for identity theft if stolen.
- Park in a well-lit area. Avoid dark parking lots while shopping. Consider leaving a porch light or other exterior light on while parked at home.
- Don’t let packages sit by your front door. If you won’t be home at the time of delivery, make arrangements with a trusted neighbor to store it until you return. Better yet, have the package delivered to a location where a trusted person can receive it.
- Require a signature for package delivery. This guarantees that your package won’t be left at the front door unless you are present to bring it inside.
- If you will be away from home for several days, stop your mail and place a hold on package deliveries. You can submit a “Hold Mail” request to the U.S. Postal Service for up to 30 days. Several private package delivery services, such as FedEx and UPS, will also hold items at a local facility upon request.
- Program Allen Police Department’s non-emergency dispatch number into your cell phone. 9-1-1 should be used for emergencies only—such as saving a life, stopping a crime or reporting a fire. For less urgent matters, call 214.509.4321.
If you would like to receive crime alerts and other important safety information from Allen Police, sign up for Citizen Observer through Tip 411.