Police offer security tips to ease holiday worries

As the holiday travel season approaches, so do homeowners’ worries about leaving houses behind and vulnerable to break-ins.

In Columbia, at least, authorities say the holiday season does not necessarily mean a rise in burglaries.

Capt. Zim Schwartze, East District commander for the Columbia Police Department, said the number of burglaries and larcenies during the holiday months “seems to be right around the entire average for the year.”

But common sense says to think about keeping your home safe while traveling. Officer Jessica Haden of the Columbia Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit said the biggest misconception many people have about burglars is, “If they want to get in, they’ll get in.” But she said it’s more likely they’ll get in only if it’s easy. “If you make it too tough on them, they’ll go somewhere else,” Haden said.

Columbia police offer tips and services to help keep your home safe.

• Use automatic light timers to make it look as if you’re home.
• Have a friend or neighbor watch over your house while you are away. If you do not stop the mail, have someone gather it for you so your mailbox isn’t overstuffed.
• In the case of snowfall, have neighbors drive into the driveway and walk into the house. Fresh tracks and footprints in snow will often deter break-ins.
• Use inexpensive security devices such as audible contact alarms on windows and doors.
• Lock all doors and windows and make sure the garage door is securely shut and locked.

Police services include:

• Watch in passing: Call the department’s nonemergency number, 442-6131, and tell them when you’re leaving. Officers will then make random passes to make sure your home is safe.
• Home security inspection: Call the Community Service Unit of the Police Department to request this service at 874-7405. The department will set up a time to come by and check window and door frames, deadbolts and possible burglar entry points and will offer advice on keeping burglars out.
• Engraving tool lending service: Residents are encouraged to borrow the tools free from the Community Service Unit and engrave any expensive gifts received during the holidays to aid in their retrieval should they be stolen.