BHPD Offers Holiday Safety Tips

With the upcoming holiday weekend, police are urging Beverly Hills residents to be aware of potential safety and crime risks.

"Fireworks, including the 'safe and sane' variety, are illegal in the city of Beverly Hills," Sgt. Michael Foxen, supervisor of the police department's Crime Prevention Bureau, said in a written statement.

Foxen encouraged residents to take remain alert to suspicious activity during the holiday weekend and throughout the summer months. 

"It's the season when most people take off work, because their kids are on summer vacation," he said. "For criminals and predators, however, it is a very active time of year."

The Crime Prevention Bureau offered these safety tips:

Be observant in public

When you load the family into the car and head out to a fun filled destination, always keep in mind that criminals may be sharing your day with you. By following a few simple outdoor safety precautions you can do much to avoid being victimized. Law breakers are always on the lookout for an easy target, so make sure you don't offer them one.

Always lock your doors and roll up the windows when you leave your car. Car thieves regularly patrol parking lots and try door handles to see if they will open. They are hoping for an unlocked vehicle that they can get into quickly and take anything that was left inside. You should always store valuable items in the trunk, so that a criminal does not see them and become tempted to break in.

While enjoying your day, keep a close eye on your entire family...and everyone around you. Look for strangers who seem to be watching you or getting too close. They may be trying to determine if you have something they can take.

Keep doors closed at home

All summer long people are outdoors gardening, enjoying barbecues or relaxing by the pool. It can be easy to forget to close a door or window, but if they are left open it creates an easy opportunity for a burglar. Garage doors, in particular, are regularly used by criminals to gain access to a home during the warmer months. People go outside to do yard work and forget to close the garage door. Criminals may steal items from the garage itself, which usually contains tools and other valuable belongings, or use it as an easy way to get into your home. Once inside, the law breaker can grab an armful of things quickly, and run off without ever being noticed.

Some criminals will work together during the summer months. One will come to your door and distract you, while the other sneaks into your garage, back yard or home to take whatever they can grab. Be wary of anyone who approaches your front door and don't let them take up too much of your time.

Teach your family members these tips, and they will help to keep the summer safe and happy summer for everyone.