Full Notification

While the holiday season is in full swing, we would like to remind you ‘tis the season for thievin’. 

Consider adding the following crime prevention tips to your holiday season.

At home for the holidays:

• Always lock all doors and windows whenever you leave your home.  Burglars often operate during the day, so don’t forget to secure your home and set your alarm when you make a quick trip to the store or take the dog for a walk. 
• Use timers to turn on a radio and lights. Timers are not just for vacation time, but should be used daily to keep your home well-lit and to give the appearance that someone is there.
• If you decorate a live tree, always turn off tree lights when you are away to prevent a fire.
• Avoid displaying holiday gifts and other valuables in places where they will be easily seen from your windows or doors.
• Always keep your porch lights on from dusk to dawn using photo cells and/or timers.
• Don’t let home deliveries pile-up at your front door, they can attract a package thief or home burglar.  Remember you have options to consider when ordering online or shipping packages:
  • When selecting shipping options, choose one that requires you to sign for delivery. In most cases, if you are not at home when a delivery is attempted, you can either pick up your packages in person or schedule a delivery for a time when you are able to receive it.
  • UPS and FedEx both offer customers the ability to customize the time and date of their delivery for when they will be home.
  • Track your delivery online. Check your package’s delivery status for an estimated delivery time and try to be home when it arrives.
  • Let a trusted neighbor know you are expecting a delivery, and ask them to take possession of it when it arrives.  Offer to do the same for them when they have a package delivered.

• Consider leaving the TV on and calling out to a fictitious family member or roommate (who will “stay home”).  For example:
  • “Tom, don’t forget to let the dog out!”, or
  • “Make sure you take the casserole out of the oven when the timer goes off”, or
  • Any other statement that would imply (to anyone who might be watching your home) that someone is still inside while you are gone.
• Call the police to report anything suspicious.  If you see an unfamiliar vehicle, suspicious person, or anything out of the ordinary when leaving your home, call NBPD’s non-emergency line at 949-644-3717.

• Have a trusted neighbor watch your home and pick-up your newspapers and mail.
• Call the Newport Beach Police Department and request a FREE Vacation Check at 949-644-3681.
• Don’t advertise that you are out of town on your phone message or social profile.
• Secure your garage door with a vacation bolt or pad lock and disable the remote access.

• Doorbell camera
• Motion activated security cameras that send an immediate notification to your smartphone
• Smart home timers, lights and lightbulbs
• TV simulators – these devices make it look as though someone is inside watching TV