HOLIDAY SHOPPERS TAKE NOTICE: `TIS THE SEASON FOR CRIME.Byline: Krystn Shrieve Staff WriterHomes jam-packed with glittering glit·ter n. 1. A sparkling or glistening light. 2. Brilliant or showy, often superficial attractiveness. 3. Small pieces of light-reflecting decorative material. intr.v. gifts or malls teeming teem 1 v. teemed, teem·ing, teems v.intr. 1. To be full of things; abound or swarm: A drop of water teems with microorganisms. 2. with unsuspecting shoppers are easy targets for criminals who are looking to steal more than just holiday spirit, authorities said. As people head full force into this year's holiday season, local police departments are warning them to be careful as they shop, travel and celebrate the season. ``Criminals look at the holidays as a better opportunity to commit crimes,'' Ventura County sheriff's spokesman Eric Nishimoto said. ``Houses are filled with more things to steal. And if you're out shopping you're carrying more money and more packages to steal. Everything is more crowded, people are more distracted. It's a no-brainer that pickpockets and burglars have it easier.'' The holidays are an opportune op·por·tune adj. 1. Suited or right for a particular purpose: an opportune place to make camp. 2. Occurring at a fitting or advantageous time: an opportune arrival. time for crime, police said, because people are stressed out, careless careless adj., adv. 1) negligent. 2) the opposite of careful. A careless act can result in liability for damages to others. (See: negligent, negligence, care) or preoccupied pre·oc·cu·pied adj. 1. a. Absorbed in thought; engrossed. b. Excessively concerned with something; distracted. 2. Formerly or already occupied. 3. as they rush around for gifts. While shopping, people should stay alert of what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. around them. They should park in well-lit areas, lock their cars, close their car windows and hide shopping bags and other items in the trunk. Shoppers should avoid carrying large amounts of cash, take extra care with purses and wallets and teach children to go to a store clerk or security officer if they become separated. Authorities said the holidays are also a good time to update - or create - a home inventory by taking photos or making videos of important items and listing their descriptions and serial numbers. If a home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file, they said. Residents should also beware of strangers at the door, as criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. It's also not uncommon for criminals to take advantage of holiday generosity by going door-to-door for charitable donations when in fact there is no charity involved. Ask for identification and find out how the funds will be used, police warned. SAFETY TIPS If you're traveling: Use an automatic timer timer, n radiographic timing device that functions as an automatic exposure timer and a switch to control the current to the high-tension transformer and filament transformer. The face of the timer is calibrated in seconds and fractions of seconds. for lights Ask a neighbor to watch your home, cut your lawn and park in your driveway. Have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If you're out for the evening: Turn on the lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone is home. Lock doors and windows Doors and Windows is a multimedia disk by the Irish band The Cranberries. Track listing
Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside. Upon returning home be cautious. If doors or windows you left closed are open or if lights you turned off are on, don't get out of your car or enter the house. Call the police. CAPTION(S): Box Box: Safety Tips (see text) |
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