Keep yourself safe this holiday season

This archived article was written by: Mae Goss

During this holiday season, many things are on your mind: finals, whether or not you got the right gift for a friend or loved one, etc. But what should be more on your mind is something you can prevent: theft.
It is in this time of year, where there are many distractions, many crimes in the category of theft are committed. It’s easy for someone to watch you get out of your car in a hurry, not lock your doors, and walk quickly into a store. Thieves quickly reopen your car door and take anything and everything in plain sight.
Officer James Prettyman of USU-CEU campus police said, “Most thefts occur because it was simply there. Thieves target certain groups of people. In example: the Walmart parking lot. It’s congested, you’re in a hurry.” His advice is to “Protect yourselves . . . Pay attention. All aspects of life you need to be paying attention to your surroundings.”
Actions that can be taken to protect itimes in your vehicle are to ask yourself: are all the doors locked? Are all of the windows up all the way? What is in your vehicle and could it be stolen? Is it in plain sight?
Prettyman said to not keep anything you want to keep in your car. The only relatively safe place in your car is the trunk and, even then, it’s not always safe. “Watch what you put in your car and watch who’s watching you,” he said.
Theft doesn’t just happen in cars. Dorm rooms are another prime area for theft to occur. Again, being in a hurry, doors don’t get locked and are left open for any wandering eye to take a peek and take something more.
Prettyman said to keep all doors shut and locked. If the outer door, suite door and room doors are all locked, you will get three times the security than having the doors unlocked. “Take the responsibility . . . if you don’t want your property stolen, don’t leave it out,” he said. “There’s a crown of opportunity people who steal use, and it goes by very fast.”
Can you afford to not be responsible and attentive? What is it you’re really losing when you have a camera stolen or a jump drive? They can be replaced in actuality but the work and memories that go with them cannot.
Park your vehicle in a well lit, trafficked area. Keep the doors to your vehicle and dorm locked. Stay attentive. If you witness a crime being committed but aren’t sure, call the police. Prettyman said, “It’s not a crime to report suspicious activity.” The time frame police are given is crucial to there being a case solved and any information given to them could be helpful.
Making the three-number call can be scary and, often, the thought is that it may not really being anything. The three reasons to call 911 are: life, fire and crimes in progress, said Prettyman. You can also call the Price City dispatch. The number for the Price City dispatch is (435) 637-0890.