Prevent Winter Break Burglaries

Columbia police are warning students and others leaving town for vacations to protect themselves against burglaries.Police released a report showing burglaries over the past few years have gone up.”In 2009, we had 70 burglaries over winter break. In 2010, we had 73 burglaries and last year we had 74,” Columbia police officer Latisha Stroer said, “To help prevent these we will have more police officers patrolling areas including undercover officers.”Police say burglars target electronics or other expensive devices that they can sell quickly.To protect yourself, police say to lock your doors and window, use timers on your lights to make it look like someone is home, and have the post office hold your mail until you are back.If you are burglarized contact the Columbia police department immediately and do not touch anything before police collect evidence.