Holiday safety tips from the Boston Police Department

BOSTON — In anticipation of this upcoming holiday season, the Boston Police Department wants to make sure college students are celebrating safely.

“Whether you are traveling near or far, the majority of you will be leaving your living spaces vacant and unattended. I want to take this opportunity, as I often do, to offer a few safety tips and reminders so that you do not fall victim to a crime and that your personal possessions and spaces are protected during your absence.”

Some preventative measures the BPD recommend doing before leaving for the holidays:

• Secure your on- and off-campus housing units when you leave, and lock the doors and windows.
• If you have air conditioners, please remove them from the windows, especially those where there is access to a fire escape. If they cannot be removed, make sure they are securely fastened.
• Be sure that the locks on all doors and windows are in working order. Contact your management company or landlord to make sure that the locks are in working order.
• Install motion sensors or times lighting in and outside of your residence. This will create a sense that someone is home.
• Request to put a hold on any mail delivery via the U.S. Postal Service until you return. Large piles of mail will often alert a possible intruder that the residence is unoccupied.
• If possible ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on things while your time away.

If you plan on staying in the city during the break, keep in mind that Boston Police Department will be monitoring city neighborhoods for loud and underage parties.

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