by Xochitl Campos
Daily Lobo
The holiday season creates an opportunity for thieves.
Many people will be away from home, but there are precautions they can take to prevent being robbed, said John Walsh, spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.
"It's good to supply your house with a motion-detector light that will come on when there is movement," he said. "Or use a dual-bright type light, where there is fixture outside of your house that is candle intensity until there is motion, and then it comes on bright."
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Walsh said that while people are away, they can deter thieves by leaving on a stereo or television at low volume.
People should call the police if they feel threatened, Walsh said.
"Officers would rather go to three or four calls of suspicious activity and have it be nothing than go to something that could have been prevented," he said.
Walsh said people can also help secure their communities by participating in neighborhood associations.
"Become extremely familiar with trusted neighbors, and share information as to your coming and going with your trusted neighbors," he said.
Thieves broke into student Jadira Gurule's home in September.
"My cats were out," she said. "That is how we noticed that something different had happened. We went in, and pretty much everything was gone."
Gurule said the burglars took almost anything that could be carried out of the house, including a laptop, microwave, guitar, backpacks and laundry bags.
Someone had taken the screens off the windows to Gurule's home twice before it was broken into, and each time she filed a police report.
"We had alerted police," she said. "Unfortunately, unless they break and enter, there is not a whole lot that they can do about it."
Walsh said APD will be more visible around shopping centers and neighborhoods.
"During the holiday season, we will be running tactical plans targeting thieves of all types, whether they are hitting retail shops with shoplifting or residences in theft," he said.
Walsh said common sense can prevent thefts.
"We have a part to play by being extra vigilant and not leaving gifts and other valuables in plain sight," he said. "And we all have a part in trying to keep away those that would steal from us."
