• The holidays are a good time to update – or create– your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file.
  
• Make sure things like TVs, DVDs, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment, and power tools are on the list. Remember to check it twice!

• The holiday season is a time of celebration and revelry. Drinking and driving is a danger to everyone on the road. Anyone with a BAC of .08 or higher is in violation of Boston law and may go to jail. Remember that the risk isn’t worth it - if you choose to drink alcohol at a party, don’t drive. Take a cab, use public transportation, or a designated driver. Have fun, but remember to celebrate responsibly.

• Get an automatic timer for your lights.
• Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time.
• Don’t forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it’s a sure sign you’re away.

• Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone’s home.
• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
• Don’t display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

• Have non-alcoholic beverages available for party guests.
• Find alternative transportation for intoxicated guests.
• Arrange for an official designated driver for your party who will not drink at all.

• Have something to eat before consuming alcoholic beverages.
• Eat high protein foods that will stay in your stomach longer and slow the absorption of alcohol into your system.
• Remember: Only time will eliminate the alcohol from your body. Know your safe limit.
• Never drink and drive.

• Loading up on all those gifts is a sign of progress in the holiday shopping. But if those packages are left out in the open after they’re in the car, your car has become a likely target for thieves. Remember the old cliché “Out of sight, out of mind?” The same idea applies to items in your car.
• Always lock your vehicle and store all items out of sight. Breaking into an empty car isn’t worth a thief’s time. However, anything left in plain view – from your holiday gifts to spare change, sunglasses, CDs, iPods, cell phones, GPS or laptops – may tempt a thief.
• Help prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car and using anti-theft devices. And although it’s cold, never leave your vehicle running while you run inside your home or a store – even if only for a minute or two.
• If you take packages to the car but plan to return to the store or mall, drive your car to a new location. Criminals can be on the lookout for unsuspecting shoppers who simply drop their purchases into the trunk and then return to keep shopping.
• When returning to your auto (or home) have your keys in your hand ready to open the door. A few seconds may keep you from becoming a crime victim. Also check the inside of the vehicle for an intruder. Lock your doors immediately after entering the vehicle.

• Walk confidently with your head up, stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you.
• Park in a well-lit space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible. When using credit cards, make sure that only one credit slip is printed with your charge card. Also, be sure to tear up any carbons that may be used to complete the transaction.
• Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don’t overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket. Open-weaved bags or purses without zippers or flaps are easy marks for pickpockets. Check your surroundings when opening your purse or wallet.
• Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.
• Pay attention to people walking in front of and behind you. Be particularly observant when you are in crowded areas such as malls and stores, as places with large crowds are favorites for thieves and pickpockets.
• Dress down while shopping instead of wearing expensive clothing and jewelry, which attracts thieves.

• Don't advertise all the wonderful gifts you received over the holidays. Turn all gift boxes, bags, and wrapping paper inside out before recycling.
  

1. Send an email to your Neighborhood Crime Watch Group proposing your have a "Holiday Pot Luck Social". In your email, propose a three dates, ask someone to host, and ask for two volunteers to help get the word out; one person to flyer the street, and the other to call each members and invite and remind them to come.
2. Once your date and location have been determined, email me at Porcellij.bpd@ci.boston.ma.us with the details (Name of Group, Date, Time, and number of expected attendees and we'll print and mail you flyers, safety guides, holiday safety tips, sign-in forms, and an agenda for the Social.
   
3. Have your your neighbors flyered 1 week before the Social.
4. Have reminder calls made three day before the Social.
5. Have fun at the Social.
   
6. After the social update your phone/email tree and email everyone to thank them and attached up-to-date phone/email tree sheet.

THE MISSING GIRL HAS BEEN FOUND

Thank you for your help

The Boston Police is seeking a missing nine-year-old female from Jamaica Plain.

At approximately 1:01pm today, officers from District E-13 responded to 63 Mozart St. in Jamaica Plain for a missing nine-year old girl. There, officers spoke to the victim’s mother who reported that the victim left for school this morning around 8:00am but never showed up for school at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School located at 7 Bolster St. in Jamaica Plain. The mother became aware that the victim was missing when the school notified her.

9 year-old Neishalys Gonzalez is described as a white Hispanic female, 4’11" in height, and weighing about 65 pounds. The victim is further described as having brown eyes, black curly shoulder length hair, and wearing a gray jacket, blue jeans, and black shoes. The victim was last seen this morning walking by the school in the company of two young girls.

Please call 911 with information.