‘Tis the Season for Safety

CCSO deputies will be out in force this holiday season patrolling area shopping districts and sharing important safety information.

The holiday season in Collier County is a special time. The weather is terrific, families are gathering and our community shines with events and festivities from Naples to Immokalee. But while this time of year brings joy, it also brings opportunities for thieves, scammers and careless drivers to take advantage of the rush.

As the holidays approach, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk would like to share a few simple reminders to help keep everyone safe whether it’s at home, in the stores or on the roads.

Protect your home and property. Many holiday crimes are crimes of opportunity such as unlocked cars, open garage doors or packages left unattended on porches.

• Always lock your vehicle –even when it’s parked inside the garage and never leave the keys/fob inside.
• Secure your home by locking all doors and windows.
• Keep packages out of sight and pick up deliveries promptly.
• If you’re traveling, let a trusted neighbor know and make your home look occupied by using smart lights and pausing mail delivery.
• Be alert when shopping, whether in stores or online. Keep an eye on your belongings. Never leave your purse unattended in a shopping cart.
• Shop during daylight hours when possible.
• If shopping at night, take a friend or relative and park in well-lit area.
• Don’t leave new merchandise, wallets and purses in unattended vehicles.
• Monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity.
• Online shoppers should only use trusted websites and avoid clicking on unfamiliar links in e-mails or texts.
• Be wary of fake holiday promotions. Do your research on whoever you are buying from. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Traffic also picks up during the holidays, so please give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Observe and obey all speed limits, stay off your phone and keep an eye out for pedestrians and bicyclists. Patience and courtesy on the road go a long way in keeping everyone safe. And as holiday celebrations ramp up, never drive impaired.

Celebrate responsibly by planning ahead. Even if you’ve had one drink, play it safe and designate a sober driver or use a ride-share service to get home. If you plan on drinking or taking drugs that cause impairment, don’t plan on driving.

Throughout the season, deputies in vehicles, on foot and on horseback will be out in the community sharing important safety information and patrolling holiday shopping areas.

Sheriff Rambosk will also be deploying portable electronic message boards, observation towers and drones as part of his crimefighting plan to keep holiday shoppers safe. But deputies can’t do it alone – community safety is always a team effort. Sheriff Rambosk and everyone at the Collier County Sheriff ’s Office thank our residents for being part of that team.

Together we can make this a great and safe holiday season.