Detective Leary Offers Holiday Safety Tips

With the holiday and shopping season rapidly approaching, the Burlington Police Department would like to remind residents to practice their own version of "preventative police work" while shopping. Although the proximity to the Route 128/93 belt is an excellent advantage for residents and businesses, it also attracts people who might capitalize on the array of potential targets.

Opportunities for criminals increase with the spike in holiday shoppers at the area malls and specialty stores. Residents are encouraged to remove all valuables (i.e., GPS devices, laptops, cell phones, etc.) from their cars, when shopping or even when parked at home. If items cannot be removed, they should be placed out-of-sight, in the glove compartment or center console. If you are shopping during the lunch hour, place newly purchased items in the trunk or, if feasible, bring them with you into the office. This simple step will go a long way in thwarting thieves who are looking for a quick and easy target.

Another potential crime that will undoubtedly increase over the next few weeks/months is the classic “flim flam” scheme. In this type of scam, con-artists call area businesses pretending to have a connection with a local electronics store. The caller claims to have televisions at drastically reduced prices due to overstock. The victim is asked to meet the caller in the parking lot where cash is exchanged for a (bogus) receipt, along with instructions to then report to customer pick-up for the merchandise. Before the victim realizes the situation is a scam, the suspect has long since fled. This scam has been given a 21st century spin through the use of the popular website craigslist.com and other similar web sites. It is important to remember that reputable stores do not conduct cash-only business in parking lots.

In conjunction with the police department’s extra patrols and enforcement operations, residents can do small things that have a big impact. Following the simple steps outlined above, and remembering the old adage, “If something seems too good to be true, it usually is!” residents are exposed to far less risk, thus helping to ensure a happy - and crime-free - holiday season.