Safety tips to protect your home during the holidays

FRUITLAND, Md. -Police want to make sure your home is secure during the holidays. With people out of town, property crimes rise with homeowners away from their homes.

Fruitland Police Officer Evan Gaba tells WMDT there are things you can do to keep your property safe. “When you think about vehicle or house break-ins, you think someone will take a hammer and break a window. Most of the time, people will want to go to doors, windows, or anything unlocked, they’ll try to open it.”

Residents of Fruitland know the severity of these crimes. Willie Nicholson has lived in the area for 31 years. He said he uses many methods to keep his home safe. “We make sure we get everything secured around the house. Our windows are fastened, and doors are double bolted. Nowadays, everyone has security cameras now so that system is on 24/7.”

Fruitland Police along with other local agencies offer patrol checks for those who are out of town. Gaba said this is an extra form of protection. “We offer patrol checks; you can request one at your house. Most of the time, we drive up to the house, we look, and make sure nothing is wrong.”

These safety checks are spontaneous, and residents can ask for a check out of their home for any reason. However, property crime rises during the holidays. Nicholson believes the town of Fruitland is under safe watch.

“Thank God for our Fruitland Police, those guys do an excellent job making sure things around here are smooth.”

If you have a problem, make sure to call 911.