Now is the season of more frequent break-ins because burglars know people buy Christmas presents and store the gifts under the Christmas tree, said Detective Steve Brown who investigates burglary cases. After Christmas, burglars target the new gifts.

“This is a job to these people (burglars) in what I would call opportunity crimes,” Brown said. “You want to keep the opportunities away.”

About 80 percent of burglars steal property from strangers, the detective said. Most home burglaries occur between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the family is away from home.

“There’s nothing personal to their business,” Brown said. “All they want is your stuff.”

Residents can protect their property the following ways:

• Hide Christmas presents throughout the house rather than placing gifts under the tree where the presents are easily accessible.

• Keep gifts and other valuables hidden in the house or in the trunk of cars. Valuables such as purses, cash, weapons, GPS’s or laptop computers should not be in plain view in vehicles, especially if the vehicle is unlocked. Keep your vehicles locked.

To protect yourself in case of burglaries, Detective Capt. Larry Pace suggested taking photographs or videotape of valuable property in the home and recording the serial number of electronics, computers and other equipment.

Brown said many burglars pawn or fence the property or try to sell it online on sites such as Craig’s List. Detectives routinely check pawn shops and online for stolen property.

“Recording of serial numbers is essential to computer checks of stolen property,” Brown said. “Without a serial number, we can’t prove this property belongs to you.”

Having a photograph or videotape can help detectives recover stolen property from pawn shops and other sources.

Brown suggested homeowners may consider investing in hidden surveillance cameras installed to record burglars entering a home. Prices range from $160 to $600 and higher.

“As technology progresses, people realize these commercial products are available for the consumer,” Brown said. “Cameras give a witness inside your home when you’re not there.”

Audible alarms should be installed outside the home so neighbors can hear the warning and call the sheriff’s office. Witnesses should call the sheriff’s office at 898-7770 if they observe suspicious people or vehicles at a neighbor’s home and try to obtain a description of the person and vehicle and license plate number. A deputy will check the person to determine if they belong at the home.

When school is out for the Christmas holidays, crimes committed by juveniles increase, the detective said. People who see juveniles prowling at homes should notify the sheriff’s office immediately for a check by deputies.

Another way residents can be attentive is not to program their home in their GPS inside a vehicle. A stolen GPS with the home directions simply guides a burglar to the home. Brown suggested listing another street nearby in the home directions.

“People need to be vigilant,” Brown said. “I just can’t stress enough – protect your assets.”