The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Don’t be a next holiday target
‘There’s always a Grinch that’s ready to wreck Christmas,’ says Lake County Sheriff Daniel Dunlap
Christmas and the general holiday season are often busy, funfilled and sometimes, stressful. It can be easy to get caught up in the distraction of it all and that can open up the door for potential
crime and unfortunate mishaps.
Over the holidays, people often travel away from home, order numerous packages to be delivered and/or leave their car out in the cold while it heats up.
Those habits stack up to opportunities, so unattended vehicles, packages and other items could easily be stolen by local “Grinches.”
“You have to use sound practices,” said Lake County Sheriff Daniel Dunlap. “Be careful about what you advertise. If you’re going to Florida, you’re a lucky person, but it shouldn’t go into the paper or into your Facebook page and tell people that you won’t be home.”
The sheriff added, “One of the ways to break down and prevent crime is to take away the opportunity.”
Securing packages
An August Home study from 2016 showed that 61 percent of those surveyed received more packages around the holidays compared to the rest of the year. Among package theft victims, the number was 78 percent. The report also mentioned that a vast majority of those surveyed felt their packages were more susceptible to theft during the holidays.
“Whenever you go shopping don’t leave your packages laying in the open inside the car,” Dunlap said. “It’s a temptation for somebody to break into the vehicle and take your Christmas presents before they can be delivered to the people you want to get them.”
The Sheriff reminds that it’s a good idea to never let packages sit in the mailbox or on the porch.
“Everybody doesn’t have the same holiday spirit, obviously,” Dunlap said. “There’s always a Grinch that’s ready to wreck Christmas.”
Vehicle protection
According to a 2016 National Insurance Crime Bureau study, over 2,000 nationwide vehicle thefts were reported on New Year’s Eve, on New Year’s Day and on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day reported about 1,600 thefts.
“We’ve had a couple of times over the last few years again where somebody leaves their car parked outside of the gas station or the store with the motor running; the key in the ignition,” Dunlap said. “Don’t do what you think was permissible or you saw somebody else be successful with... Make sure you remove the keys.”
Despite it being cold and miserable in the winter, he said, don’t let your car idle unattended. And as he mentioned before, it’s a good idea to not leave packages or purchased items in plain view in your car.
Protecting a bike
Although a majority of people don’t ride their bicycles in the winter, it’s a good idea to keep a bike secure by housing it during the colder months. Not only can it protect you from potential theft, but it can also increase the longevity of your bike.
“They can keep it off the ground and preferably inside,” said Robert Ponti, owner of The Bicycle Hub in Kirtland. He mentioned that storing a bike in a garage is not always best because the fluctuation in temperature can corrode and rust parts. “Store it in a basement, if possible, or somewhere a little bit warmer and that usually helps the life expectancy of some of the parts.”
To protect from theft, Ponti recommends a bike lock. For those who will store a bike outdoors for an extended period of time, a more expensive lock might be a good idea. But a simple $25 to $50 lock will work for most, especially for those who use a bike to commute.
“Some people will even take it (the bike) into a foyer or an entryway of a store or restaurant,” Ponti said. “That way it’s less apt for someone to try and take it.”
Responsible driving
During the holidays, there are parties and celebrations involving alcohol and that can present the opportunity for impaired drivers. Dunlap mentioned that his department — and others, such as Ohio State Highway Patrol — are focused on the issue during the holidays.
“Make sure that you get a designated driver or call an Uber,” Dunlap said, “so that you don’t hurt yourself or anybody else.”
The sheriff highlighted that it’s much easier now to find a ride home with the existence of Uber and Lyft, and that it’s not too expensive.
He said, “It’s a lot cheaper than paying all the fines and the fees and everything else associated with getting picked up for driving while you’re impaired.”
During the holidays, there are parties and celebrations involving alcohol and that can present the opportunity for impaired drivers. Dunlap mentioned that his department — and others, such as Ohio State Highway Patrol — are focused on the issue during the holidays.