Property crimes, and the prevention of those instances of burglaries occurring during the holiday season, has been a top priority of The Madison Police Department. With the holiday season quickly approaching, we would like to remind citizens to take extra care during an absence from their residence, and to exercise safety precautions to avoid becoming a victim of a burglary. During those periods of time when suspects expect residences to be vacant, the potential could increase for a burglary to occur. The Madison Police Department wants every person within the city to use their best efforts to keep crimes of this nature from occurring, by utilizing a variety of safety alternatives prefaced below.

Things you should consider before you leave on your holiday break

1. Secure all windows latches and exterior doors using all locking options available. This is a primary opportunity for a suspect to enter your home, and is sometimes overlooked by residents before their departure. Make sure that you utilize your window coverings so that personal property is not visible from the exterior of your home. Items of value should be secured and not readily accessible.

2. If you have an attached garage, make sure you secure the door that leads into the house from the garage, as this has been a focal point of burglars in the past.

3. Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted and free from excessive foliage/shrubbery near entryways to your residence.

4. Create the illusion that your home is occupied by using timers on lights, radios and TV's. These small indicators are sometimes enough to discourage someone from attempting to enter your home.

5. While it is a good idea to tell a trusted neighbor(s) that you will be out of town, be cautious about having your travel plans known by the general public (via Facebook or other social media options). Never leave messages on your phone that you are on vacation, or will be gone for a prolonged period of time. It is also a good idea to have postal mail collected by a trusted person if your departure will be extended.

While this is not an all inclusive list of things that will keep you entirely safe, these measures are beneficial, and can keep you from becoming a victim of a burglary. Citizens are reminded to remain safety conscience at all times, and a little effort can go a long way.

PO Howard Payne