July 10--Americans flock en masse to vacation spots in July. And while the trips are a welcome reprieve from the typical work week, vacations also signals the busy season for theft.
According to State Farm Insurance, Virginia had 1,424 theft claims in July 2015. Spokesman Kip Diggs said, "empty homes, apartments and condos that are just ripe for theft."
July is State Farm's third-busiest month for theft claims, coming in behind January and December, when thieves target holiday gifts.
The Fredericksburg police also report increased activity during the summer months.
Fredericksburg police officer Christine Ferguson said breaking and entering increases in the summer because more people are outside and because more locals leave town during those months.
Though overall larceny and breaking and entering are down between 2015 and 2016, larceny from vehicles is on the rise.
Ferguson advised locals to keep vehicles locked--most larcenies occur from unlocked cars--and to keep items out of plain sight in vehicles.
Between Jan. 1 and June 15 in 2015, 49 larcenies from vehicles were reported. During that same time period in 2016, Fredericksburg police responded to 82 incidents.
Breaking and entering into homes fell from 37 incidents between Jan. 1 and June 15, 2015 to 17 during the same period in 2016.
And overall larceny fell from 452 incidents to 420 during the same time period in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
State Farm and the Fredericksburg Police Department have these tips to secure homes during the summer months:
* Don't share your travel itinerary on social media. Ferguson said criminals keep tabs on social media activity to find out which homes are vacant.
* Ask for help from a trusted neighbor. Ferguson said mail stacking up is the top indicator to criminals that homeowners are away. Diggs said neighbors can pick up mail and keep an eye on the house for any suspicious activity. Diggs also said hiring a house sitter is a good option for people without someone to volunteer time.
* Make sure all doors, windows and vehicles are locked. Ferguson said many criminals will try each door on a block until one opens. "It's important but easy to forget when leaving town in a rush," she said.
* Ask for police protection. People can call the local police department to request a watch order, which Ferguson said alerts police to cars that should not be there and what dates no one is home. The Fredericksburg Police Department's non-emergency number is 540/373-3122.
* Set up motion sensors and put lights on a timer. Motion sensors can detect movement and flood light on designated areas, potentially deterring break-ins. And timers can turn on lights in different areas of the home, creating the illusion that someone is home.
Diggs said to use "common sense ... lock up, don't overshare on social media, and have someone looking out for your property."
Lindley Estes: 540/735-1976
@flslindley
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