The men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office are committed to keeping Broward County residents and visitors safe this holiday season and throughout the year. Following some simple safety tips will help keep you and your family safe.

Too often, opportunistic criminals prey on holiday shoppers. While you are out making your purchases, stay alert. Remember to park your car in a well-lit area and secure valuables inside your trunk or take them with you. When you return to your vehicle, have your keys in hand so that you can quickly unlock the door and get in. You should never carry large amounts of money and if you go to an ATM for cash, do so during daytime hours in a safe location.

With the number of vehicles on our roadways and in crowded parking lots, it is important to practice patience. Speeding, distractions and alcohol contribute to the increased number of accidents this time of year. If you are attending a holiday celebration and plan on drinking alcohol, designate a driver or take a cab. The Broward Sheriff’s Office has a ZERO tolerance policy for drunk drivers and will be out in force to ensure all of our roadways are safe.

If you will be leaving home for the holidays and live in a Broward Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, I encourage you to sign up for our free Home Watch program. To sign up for this free service, visit sheriff.org/homewatch. Once you fill out the form, please return it to your local BSO district office.

There are many ways you can protect your home from thieves. Before you leave town please remember to:

• Secure your doors, windows, garage, storage sheds and gates

• Leave a parked car in your driveway or ask trusted neighbor to park in your driveway.

• Have the post office hold your mail.

• Stop your newspaper delivery.

Remember, a few minutes of prevention can save you from becoming a victim of a crime this holiday season. On behalf of the men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, I wish you a safe holiday and very happy New Year.