Police officials warn Columbia residents of criminals this holiday season

Last year, the Columbia Police Department told ABC 17 News that more burglaries happen during the holiday season in November and December.

There were 14 residential burglaries reported by the Columbia Police Department during the 2016 Thanksgiving break, between Nov. 18 and Nov. 29.

The Columbia and the University of Missouri Police Department both released flyers containing safety tips about how residents can stay safe during the holidays.

The tips include such things as keeping your valuable possessions out of sight and not announcing your absence on social media or places where information is visible to the public. Police also encourage you to keep your lights on or set a timer. For other tips, you can click here.

The Mizzou Police Department said millions of students from all over the U.S. look forward to going home or away for the holidays, and the last thing anyone would want is to return home and find out they’ve been violated.