Be Aware; Safety Tips to Protect Your Possessions
'If we can see it, so can thieves.' That's the message the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) is spreading to people who regularly leave their possessions unattended in their cars or deliveries on their front porch for an extended period of time. It's a simple enough message, but one that gets straight to the point; if NCPD personnel can see your valuable possessions out in the open in your parked car, a person with ill intentions can most certainly see it as well, leading to a potentially unfortunate, but easily preventable, situation.

So how do you prevent yourself from becoming the target of a burglar? Quite simply, people have to be wise about the situation; NEVER, under any circumstance, whether you are in the parking lot of the gym or the mall, or even in your own driveway, leave valuable possessions in plain site. Possessions should be locked out of site in one's trunk or the glove compartment section of your car, and most importantly, make sure your car is actually locked. Furthermore, if your car has an alarm, make sure it is set to ward and scare off any people trying to target your car. Parking in a well-lit area can also help protect yourself from being a victim of a theft since burglars have a better chance of being spotted and/or recognized.

These tips can also be applied to other areas of your safety and security. If a home security system is in place, homeowners should have their alarms in an active setting. Valuables should always be kept out of sight and away from windows, and people should never publicize when they will be out of town on vacation on the internet. If you are going to be away from your home for a period of time, ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your home for anything out of the ordinary. Even if you're running errands, NCPD suggests leaving lights on in your home or setting a timer so that your home doesn't give off the impression that no one is home, and ALWAYS lock all doors and windows when you leave, even if it's just for a few minutes.

Even from the comfort of your home, people can be targeted when shopping online. Law enforcement can't stress enough to only shop from secure websites and NEVER respond to emails from people asking for personal or credit card information,. Checking your credit card or bank statements regularly can help identify any unusual activity and prevent a long-scale theft of personal information.

Overall, NCPD wants to ensure people are aware of their surroundings at all times, whether they are at home, the mall or the office. Keeping the aforementioned tips can go a long way in decreasing your chances of being subject to a theft. Finally, if you see something, say something; call 911 for any emergencies or if you see a crime is in progress.