Christmas trees glittering in front of a big front window are an iconic image of the holidays. They may also be an invitation to thieves, according to Lt. David Kiger, the District Three coordinator for the Winston-Salem Police Department. Our neighborhood falls under his jurisdiction.

Police typically see a rise in break-ins during the holiday season. With some common sense and foresight, you may be able to avoid becoming a victim. Kiger and the Winston-Salem Police Department offer these crime prevention tips:

• Don’t set up your Christmas tree in front of a window that faces the street. Instead, move it back so that it’s not readily visible from outside. Holiday thieves and kids on Christmas morning have something in common – they both look under the tree first.
• Trim bushes and shrubs surrounding your house, so thieves don’t have a place to hide.
• If you’re going out of town, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail and newspaper instead of cancelling them. Give the neighbor a key so they can go inside your house and check on things there. Ask them to turn on and off different lights, at different times of the day, so that it looks like someone is at home.

Kiger said that there has also been a rash of car break-ins citywide this fall and that many of them are from cars that weren’t locked. Remember to lock your car and stash all bags and packages in the trunk or bring them inside. WSPD’s Crime Prevention unit will do a free walk-through of your home to assess its security. The department also has two engravers that you can borrow to label your electronics and other valuables, but you might want to call to make sure one of them is available. Call 773-7835 for more information or Officer Melissa Peterson at 726-2029.

The police department’s foot patrol continues to watch Sunnyside. The foot patrol has noticed that landlords have begun calling them to report suspicious activity, something that didn’t happen in the past. They appreciate the tips.

If you’d like to contact the police with neighborhood concerns, please call Lt. Kiger at 773-7818.