By JACOB LOPEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
It’s that time of year when families begin the Christmas shopping season once indulging in turkey and mashed potatoes, but it’s also when local authorities remind residents to practice caution during the holiday hoopla.
Assistant Operations Chief Michael Galvan of the San Benito Police Department said that car break-ins and theft are more prominent during this time of year — more so than home break-ins.
This is because thieves take advantage of the holiday shopping chaos, he said. “The parking lots are full,” said Galvan, adding, “People are in a hurry… it’s cold, so people don’t stay around in the parking lot … they take advantage of that.”
According to Galvan, people tend to forget their purses in cars or leave gifts behind — in plain view — as they go store-to-store, many times without realizing they’ve made themselves susceptible to such crimes.
SBPD will be doing unmarked patrolling, which according to Galvan is something the department does every year.
Galvan also encouraged caution especially at Harlingen shopping destinations. “Those are still our citizens shopping out there, so we want to educate them,” Galvan said.
Harlingen PD Captain Hector Leal said that preventing such crime can be as easy as hiding valuables.
“People walk by and see what you have in your car, and a lot of times you can avoid … theft by just putting that thing in your trunk or hiding it,” said Leal.
“We will have extra patrol. We always do … (and there’s) special operations going on during the holidays, especially in the higher concentrated areas where people shop,” Leal added.
Another issue that has been of concern is people who are mugged while walking to their vehicles. Leal said that people should walk in groups, and in many cases mall security will escort a person if requested.
Leal also urges anyone to simply call the police if they need anything.
Social media, such as Facebook, can become another problem. People inadvertently leave themselves wide open to home invasions by posting that they are on vacation or away from home.
“All it takes is for someone to see that,” said Galvan, adding, “It’s easy to look up addresses,” with basic name information.
In addition, Galvan noted that anyone who will be away from home can inform their local police department and request extra patrol.
San Benito residents can call (956) 361-3880 for non-emergencies.
Rio Hondo Interim Police Chief Victor Tamayo stressed the word “opportunity.”
“You don’t want to give the thieves the opportunity (to break in),” he said.
Tamayo explained to “prevent the opportunity” so residents can reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.
Tamayo also encouraged people traveling during the holidays to have someone watch their home, such as a trusted friend, relative or neighbor.
“Turn a light on, turn a light off,” Tamayo said. Would-be thieves will see that someone is in and out of the home, according to Tamayo, deterring them from entering.
This is also considered of importance since a trusted friend can become a point of contact between the home owner and the police department.
For non-emergencies, Rio Hondo residents can call (956) 748-3611.
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