How to avoid attracting Christmas thieves

MANILA, Philippines - The Southern Police District (SPD) on Tuesday gave basic tips on how to avoid thieves as it places its units on Christmas alert.

SPD director Chief Superintendent Henry Ranola said personnel from the district were deployed for the start of the traditional “Simbang Gabi” or dawn Masses.

Ranola said the deployment of the SPD personnel from the district headquarters would augment the depleted strength of the police stations to patrol churches within the southern metropolis area.

Ranola said that aside from establishing checkpoints, the deployed police officers would also conduct beat patrols in various bus and jeepney terminals, including stations of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Railway Transit (LRT) and other places where people converge.

Meanwhile, the SPD has reminded the public to be extra vigilant during the Christmas season with petty criminals expected to take advantage of the holiday mood.

“Criminals and other lawless elements love holidays as much as everyone else, especially because it is an opportune time for crime with more people shopping and traveling,” said Ranola.

To avoid being a victim of criminals during the holidays, the SPD said people should:

• Have a shopping plan
• Shop before dark
• Coordinate shopping trips with friends
• Park in a well-lighted area
• Try not to walk to their cars alone
• Don't loiter in parking areas while holding shopping packages
• Make sure all doors and windows are locked before leaving their vehicles at the parking area
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash while shopping