By HEATHER RUPPE
Colleton County Sheriff Buddy Hill reminds residents to be safe this holiday season while shopping online and in person.
Hill is asking all residents to remember some essential safety tips, such as locking your car doors and staying vigilant while putting your belongings away inside your car.
"With Christmas just a few weeks away, people will be hitting the shops – hard. It's the busiest time for shopping; however, it's also the most active period in a thief's calendar," said Hill.
The Colleton County Sheriff's Office is not seeing an uptick in reported thefts, robberies, or holiday shopping robberies; however, residents should still only park in well-lit areas and should keep a minimal number of cash or credit cards on them while shopping.
"With the crowds, noise, and hustle-bustle, it's easy to get distracted or disoriented," said Hill. "Following self-awareness guidelines will ensure you give the best gift of all this Christmas, safety."
Other tips for safe holiday shopping include:
• Do not leave purchased items in your car.
• Always have your keys in your hand when getting into your car or walking through a parking lot.
• Be alert while parking in your driveway after shopping.
• Do not leave your purse unattended.
• Keep your purse on you at all times, and do not leave it in a shopping cart.
• Don't overload yourself or appear confused or overwhelmed.
• Should you lose your credit card or it is stolen, report it lost or stolen immediately.
Additionally, the sheriff's office has created safety tips for all residents to follow that will help prevent holiday package deliveries from being stolen. This is an aggressive new trend that is happening nationwide, according to Colleton County Sheriff's Office Spokeswoman Shalane Lowes. To help fight this problem in Colleton County, the local sheriff's office encourages all Colleton residents to create a "neighbor network" to help look for package deliveries.
Residents are also encouraged to use smart-locks and to install security cameras.
Tips to Avoid Package Theft
1. Get a P.O. Box as Your Local Post Office
2. Use Lockers
3. Set Up Notifications to Track Your Packages
4. Install Security Cameras
5. Get Your Packages Delivered to Your Office
6. Require a Signature on Delivery
7. Reschedule Delivery or Ask for a Package Hold When on Vacation
8. Try Smart Locks
9. Get a Package Guard
10. Insure Your Packages
11. Ask Your Neighbors to Grab Your Packages
What to do if you've become a victim of a porch pirate
1. Check with your delivery company to ensure your package was delivered.
2. Know exactly what's in the missing box.
3. If you see the thief, pay attention to what their vehicle looks like and its license plate number. Second to that, get the thief's physical description – gender, approximate height, and weight, and what they're wearing – so you can tell an officer.
4. Call 911 and ask an officer to come to your home.
5. If you have a security camera on your home, get a copy of the video to the police. Ask your neighbors if their cameras captured the thief in action.
