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Shray Paliwal

Retail theft and robbery rates have increased greatly across California recently, with commercial shoplifting, so-called smash-and-grabs at high-end stores and burglaries in both residencies and commercial establishments making national headlines.

With the uptick in crime, it’s crucial to employ safety measures to keep your belongings safe.

“Whenever my family and I are traveling or are in crowded areas, my parents always tell me to hold my bags to my chest or, if it is a backpack, turn it over, as it prevents you from being a target and getting mugged,” junior Juliet Kozlov said.

A recent report documented the experience of an Irvine woman whose home was ransacked by burglars who stole around $100,000 worth of goods. The victim, Lucy, claimed she went shopping at South Coast Plaza and purchased two Chanel purses, after which two thieves, part of an organized crime group, followed her home. After returning from her dinner, Lucy saw that her home had been burglarized, having lost all of her watches, rings, bracelets, expensive purses, money and even clothing items.

“I think, to an extent, the increase in retail theft and robberies can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic,” senior Niloo Forghani said. “A lot of people lost their jobs and income, and are still reeling from the effects of it. This makes people desperate and willing to do things that under other circumstances, they wouldn’t consider.”

Police departments recommend leaving lights on when you leave the house to make it look occupied, and if you are going to be absent for a long time, connect lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening. It is also worthwhile to conceal valuable items like expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash and electronics and avoid revealing such belongings in public since they could attract unwanted attention.

“Using security systems like motion sensors, smart locks and cameras connected to your phone can allow you to monitor your home remotely while receiving real-time alerts about suspicious activity,” junior Karina Moore said.

You can communicate and share information with your neighbors about suspicious activities or incidents in your residential area through neighborhood watch apps, such as Nextdoor and Neighbors by Ring. Video doorbells equipped with cameras and two-way audio enable residents to directly communicate with visitors at their door in real-time from their phones. Recording video footage can also serve as a deterrent to breaking into homes.

Implementing these technological solutions and following general safety procedures can significantly bolster the security of your home and belongings, diminishing the risk of robberies and break-ins. Stay vigilant, Trojans.