Merkel PD shares tips to secure your home for the holidays

MERKEL, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Merkel Police Department is investigating multiple home and vehicle break-ins.

According to Merkel police, 80% of car burglaries occurred during the 2023 holiday season due to unlocked vehicles. Police ask the community to stay aware of their surroundings and take extra precautions to secure belongings, especially during the holiday season.

The Merkel Police Department provided steps for securing your valuables in your car:

• Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle overnight.
• If shopping at multiple locations, put items in the trunk and ensure they can’t be seen.
• If you are gone for a long time, do not leave your keys, garage door open, or alarm devices in your vehicles overnight.
• Lock all doors and windows.

The Merkel Police Department also provided steps to secure your house during the holidays:

• Make sure all of your doors and windows are secure. If you have garage doors, make sure they are locked.
• If you have storage buildings around your property, keep them locked and secure.
• Light as many things as possible around your house, porch, backyard, driveway, etc.
• Motion-activated lights are highly recommended. Most hardware stores carry an affordable option that usually comes with easy installation instructions.

According to the Merkel Police Department, burglaries often occur after the holidays because someone may watch once the presents are unwrapped. The police have provided the following steps to help protect your gifts from theft.

• Keep an eye on your neighborhood, and be cautious of strangers not from the area.
• Break down boxes and place trash in opaque trash bags that you can tie completely shut. Do not place large boxes outside next to the trash or in the public’s view.

If you plan to leave your home for the holidays, notify your local law enforcement to see if they can conduct courtesy patrols to keep an eye on your house.

If you notice any suspicious activity, please report it. Police ask that if you have camera footage of suspicious activity in the past seven days, please call police at 325-928-4766 and ask to speak to Lieutenant Cody Branson.