‘Tis the season … to get robbed

Advice for those home and away during holidays

Almost ironically, the season of giving can quickly turn into the season of stealing. 

Especially with goods to grab in plain view under the tree in wrapping or still at the front door in just-delivered packages.  

La Crosse assistant police chief Rob Abraham has some advice.

“Try not to leave the window wide open with that tree with presents under it,” Abraham said. 

Closing curtains to prying eyes from outside makes the goodies under your tree more of a gamble.  

As far as packages coming to the door: “Sometimes if I have a package that’s going ot be expensive, I’ll leave a note to have UPS to deliver it next door, because I know they’ll be home,” Abraham said.

Among the most vulnerable for holiday thefts, says Abraham, are college students living off campus. 

“College students tend to become victims because they leave the area to go back home,” Abraham said. “When they come back to their place at the end of Christmas vacation, they find out their TV is gone.”

That, says Abraham, typically is because thieves will try every door until they find one that’s unlocked. And there’s always at least one that’s been left unlocked.