Law enforcement encouraging caution if you're leaving town for the holidays - newschannel20.com
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCCU) — With many people heading out of town and getting ready to open gifts, law enforcement has said that people need to take precautions to prevent being the victim of a burglary.
"This is a busy holiday season, so obviously we are more likely to see burglaries," said Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman.
People are heading out of town for the holiday, as they look to spend Christmas with family and friends.
Law enforcement agencies have warned those people that burglaries are more common this time of the year.
According to he National Crime Victimization Survey, robbery and grand larceny crimes rise by 20% in December.
Heuerman said it all starts with what you leave on the curb.
"You take it out to the curb for when the garbage man will come, whenever the trash man will come, and that is out there for everybody to see, and that is something a lot of people don't think about," said Heuerman.
The sheriff said that big electronics like televisions highlight what valuables you have inside your home.
The main way to be safe is to make sure it looks like you never left your home.
"The advice we give year-round, Christmas isn't any different, these holidays aren't any different, if you are going to be out for an extended time, the more you can make it look like you are not gone, the less likely you will be victimized," said Heuerman.
The sheriff suggests cutting up big boxes and putting them in the trash and recycling bin.
Also, leave lights on and have a neighbor watch your home.
"Anything you can do to not show the world that's what you got for Christmas, the less likely you will be burglarized, because people do not break into house after house after house to see if you got anything good," said Heuerman.
source: https://newschannel20.com/news/local/law-enforcement-encouraging-caution-if-you-are-leaving-town-for-the-holidays
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