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‘Tis the season to be jolly, but that jolliness can be ruined fairly quickly by holiday grinches who are out looking for crimes of opportunity. As you begin your holiday shopping please keep in mind that storing those gifts that you’ve just purchased in your car is not the smartest idea. You’ve most likely spent lots of time, put in lots of thought and money into picking the perfect gift for a special someone-don’t lose that gift to a thief!
 
The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety’s Holiday Burglary Suppression Detail has begun and will last through the holidays. We’re stepping up enforcement and we’re out actively looking for those grinches who want to ruin the holidays for our community.
 
Preventing these thieves from victimizing you takes teamwork though and we’d like to ask that you help us by doing your part by protecting your valuables as best as you can. Also, if you see someone suspicious lurking around vehicles call 911 so that we can respond.
 
Here are some helpful tips to consider:
Burglars like easy targets, so be sure not to leave any of those new gifts that you just purchased in plain view in your car. If you must leave them in your car, make sure to hide or cover them.
 
Roll up your windows and lock your doors.
 
Remove portable electronic devices such as smart phones and GPS navigation systems, including suction cups. Even the visible appearance of a suction cup ring on the glass windshield can be an enticement to a thief to break in and look for a GPS system. Thieves can be high-tech these days, if your phone or laptop is on and in your car thieves can detect its location.
 
Park in well-lit, heavily populated areas.
 
Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right, find another place to park.
 
What to do if something is stolen out of your car:
As soon as you notice something's stolen, or that your car has been broken into, do not touch or adjust anything in, on, or around the car, call us. Sunnyvale DPS’s Non-Emergency Dispatch Line is: 408-730-7180. If the crime is in progress call 911 immediately and do not approach the suspect. 
 
Be sure when parking to park in very well-lit parking lots or spaces and always remember to park as close to the building as possible.
 
Bottom line here is simple, use common sense. Lock your doors, take your valuables and gifts out completely, if you can’t then cover them up. Take extra effort to stay alert, be vigilant of your surroundings, and make good decisions. These tips combined can help decrease your chances of falling victim to a holiday grinch.  

Let's work together to make this a joyous holiday season for all-see something suspicious, say something by calling us! 

Find us on Facebook and Twitter, @SunnyvaleDPS.