Author: Najib El

A few common sense safety reminders to make sure your holidays aren’t ruined by crime.

Leaving town for the holidays?

Sign up for Vacation Watch. It’s one of the many benefits of being a subscriber to MWSF!

Make sure a neighbor or close-by relative or friend knows about it, so they can keep an eye on your dwelling and report any suspicious activity that may take place there. See below.

Halt the delivery to your home of mail, packages and newspapers. A doorstep strewn with several days’ worth of mail and other materials can be a sure signal to a potential burglar that no one is inside.

Staying home for the holidays?

There’s nothing wrong with proudly displaying indoor and outdoor lights and other decorations. But leaving a wide window view of a pile of presents – while you are asleep or out for a few hours – can be a tempting invitation to thieves.

Place branded boxes in garbage bags or inside an unmarked box before leaving them for trash and recycling pick-up. They can signal to burglars what’s under your Christmas tree.

Doing some last minute online shopping for gifts?

Package thieves are known to follow follow UPS and FedEx trucks to steal packages shortly after delivery. Consider having packages delivered to your office or to someone who will be home to receive delivery. Or require a signature confirmation at delivery.

Neighbors are the best defense. Give your neighbors permission to remove and safeguard your packages until you come home.

Don’t leave regular mail sitting out all day long. It’s a clear sign that no one’s home or staying alert!

Check your front porch frequently for mail and packages and watch for email alerts from shippers. Speak to you mail carrier and ask them to ring the doorbell when a package is left. Also, consider tipping your mail carrier this year. It’s a hard job!

Planning on partaking in holiday festivities around the neighborhood?

Alcoholic drinks have a place in many holiday celebrations. Please drink in moderation and never drive a vehicle while under the influence.
Embrace the holiday spirit. Be an extra nice driver in heavy traffic. Say extra kind words to children, older folks and all in between.

Enjoy, be safe, and Happy Holidays from MWSF!

See something suspicious? Call 911 for crimes in progress. The Precinct One Constable Dispatch number is 713-755-7628 or alert our deputies via the Constable’s Office.

It’s called “sliding” and its growing in Houston. Police say it is an easy crime of opportunity that requires no tools and no confrontation and relies on our distraction. The theft happens in just seconds and usually goes unnoticed until the thief is long gone. The thief often arrives earlier and waits for the right victim. Or sometimes he pulls in as you get involved with the buttons on the pump. He “slides” below your sight, opens the door and grabs whatever is there – purse, phone, laptop, personal papers – whatever he can reach.

According to statistics, women are the victims more often because they typically leave their purse in the car and take out just the credit card they need for gas. And most people, men or women, typically don’t lock their car while filling their tank. Thieves tend to target neighborhoods that feel “safe”, where drivers let their guards down.

It’s an easy crime to prevent:

1. Always remove your keys and lock your doors when standing outside of your car.
2. Keep valuables out of site – under the seat or in the console.
3. Don’t let your phone distract you.  Pay attention to who is nearby.