It's not Mayberry anymore

Last week a friend of mine got some dirt bikes stolen out of her barn. It spooked me for sure. Then I start hearing about it going around town. Lots of people are reporting stolen things. That spooked me even more. Then the biggie happened. It hit home. This weekend my husband's Ipod and modulator got stolen out of his pickup. He left it unlocked so as mad as I was, it was kinda that feeling that it could have been prevented if it was locked. Then the scary part kicked in. My window to my LOCKED NEW TRAILBLAZER has a big X carved in it. Someone tried to bust my window to get my ipod too. We called an officer so that they would know it is still going on in our neighborhood (a few blocks away someone got their house cleaned out basically) and he gave us some tips. He was a nice guy and was being very helpful. These tips are sad, but this is our world today:
1. Don't lock your car. Take everything of value out. Most likely they will just look in for things that will fit in their pocket and then move on. If your car is locked, they have been busting windows and that cost a lot in itself.
2. Don't put your Christmas tree by a window or door. A thief can see if you have presents underneath it and is more likely to target your house.
3. Wrap empty boxes for under your tree and hide the real presents. (This one is the saddest!)
4. Forget a safe or hiding things in your house, thief's know where to go - (closet, freezer....) Hiding things in an attic eliminates some theft because they will not take the time to climb up there to look.

To say I didn't sleep well is an understatement. I was spooked by every little noise. My husband was alert most of the night. It is a scary thought knowing all this happened in our DRIVEWAY on our safe street in our safe neighborhood. I don't want to be at the house alone, I don't want to be outside when its dark - nothing! I was born and raised in this little town - I was raised leaving our house unlocked and cars unlocked, now we can't even lock things up and be safe.

So be careful and be on the lookout.