Baltimore Police Department

By Public Affairs Office
Wednesday, December 15, 2010; 10:34 am

With the approach of the holiday season, the Baltimore Police Department would like to remind everyone to take a few simple steps to protect themselves from the criminal "Grinch."

• travel and shop in groups, paying attention to your surroundings
• walk, drive and park in areas that are well-lit and well-travelled
• resist the urge to carry or display large amounts of cash
• be especially vigilante at and around ATM machines
• pick-pockets like crowds, so keep wallets and slim purses in inside, zippered pockets
• never leave valuables (i.e., GPS, bags, jackets, etc.) in the interior of your vehicle
• never load your vehicle’s trunk with valuables and walk away
• forgo street donations to beggars, and donate instead to legitimate, established groups
• break-up/turn inside-out product boxes before putting them outside for trash pick-up
• be mindful of posting vacations and other personal information on social media sites
• ask for security escorts when travelling to or from your vehicle in large mall parking lots
• don’t allow texting to distract you are you walk or drive