By John Ney

Allow enough time to get to where you're going, have patience, stay observant, do not be in a hurry. These holiday safety tips were offered by Deputy Tammy Cuscaden, a community resource deputy for east Brandon and Valrico. While these tips may seem difficult to follow, heeding them could help residents avoid an accident or become the victim of a crime this holiday season. 

Cuscaden says that the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office District 2 has placed electronic signs in the median around the Westfield Brandon Mall entrance on Brandon Boulevard (U.S. Hwy. 60) that remind travelers that patience avoids traffic accidents at the mall during the holiday season. "The holidays are a busy time around the mall," says Cuscaden. "We want to remind people of the importance of being patient. Shoppers also need to keep in mind that there are several entrances to the mall to reduce congestion. Two other alternative routes are Gornto Lake Rd. and Providence Rd."

Cuscaden says the Sheriff's office suggests that Westfield Mall allow travelers at the T-section at the front mall entrance to only make turn rights. "This will reduce congestion on Brandon Blvd.," she says. "As Christmas approaches, the mall also extends it hours to make it more convenient for shoppers to shop." According to a spokesperson at Brandon Mall, during the week of December 17-23, mall hours are to 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Cuscaden says vehicle burglaries and auto thefts are the most prevalent crimes around the holiday season. She says areas with large numbers of people and vehicles heighten the risk of crime. Examples she provided include shopping centers and apartment complexes.

According to information in the "Auto Burglary" booklet from Sheriff David Gee and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, there are several simple steps residents can take to prevent auto burglary and theft. These tips include closing and locking windows and doors, not leaving valuables in plain view but instead locking them in your trunk, parking your car in a highly visible and well lit area, installing and/or using a car alarm, never leaving a vehicle unattended while the engine is running, and never leaving an extra set of keys in a "secret" hiding place on your car.

Cuscaden says it takes 30 seconds for a thief to break into your car and to steal your valuables; however, it takes 20 seconds to place valuables out of site in the trunk. She also points to 2006 Florida statistics indicating that one auto burglary is committed every three minutes and one motor vehicle theft occurs every seven minutes.

The items most commonly stolen from vehicles are briefcases, garage door openers, CD's and CD cases, laptop computers, tools, cash, keys, purses, and stereos.