Lockport, N.Y. (WBEN) - 'Tis the season for crimes of opportunity, warns the Niagara County Sheriff. Michael Filicetti says keep your vehicles locked, and valuables hidden to avoid giving thieves the temptation to break in.
Sheriff Filicetti says he's seen sporadic reports of crimes of opportunity already.
"Typically, you'll see a neighborhood will get basically canvased, and they'll go street-by-street through different neighborhoods," said Filicetti in an interview with WBEN.
Calls to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office may come in once or twice a week, according to Filicetti.
"They'll move to different areas of the county. It might be in a Southern town of the county, then they move to the North end of the county," Filicetti noted. "And they go through the neighborhoods, looking for vehicles that are unlocked, looking for vehicles that have items left out."
Filicetti warns if you leave your vehicle unlocked, or you leave valuables in your vehicle, there are criminals out there that are taking advantage of that situation.
"Don't leave vehicles unlocked. Don't leave valuables in your vehicle. Try to park in a well-lit area, put it in the garage, if you can, to protect your vehicle from being stolen, but also to protect the contents of your vehicle," Filicetti advises.
Another crime of opportunity the Niagara County Sheriff's Office is warning of is porch piracy.
"A lot of packages get delivered this time of year, so certainly criminals see that opportunity. Packages sitting on a front porch, it's a great opportunity to steal them," Filicetti said.
Filicetti recommends if you have cameras to keep an eye on packages being delivered, and try to get those in as soon as you can. Or if you have a neighbor that can maybe come over and grab your packages for you when they come.
He adds some delivery services offer a delivery tool for a secure location so you can just pick that package up.
If anyone happens to see any suspicious activity, Filicetti advises people to call 9-1-1.