So we have reached the point in the year in which Thanksgiving break, which once seemed a distant speck on the horizon, is fast approaching. Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays—you don’t have to buy gifts or pretend to care about your fellow man, just bring a side dish and prepare to stuff your face in one big exercise of mass gluttony. And after Thanksgiving break comes winter break, so we will soon see a mass exodus of students and their dirty laundry heading for all points of the compass. The holiday season can bring some safety challenges as well, however, so here are some tips:

If you are leaving campus, remember to lock your rooms and secure any valuables you aren’t taking with you. Thieves are as aware as anyone when breaks begin and end. If you are taking public transportation to the airport or other destinations late at night, think about sitting near the driver while travelling and calling ahead of time for a Safe Ride from the rapid stop to your residence. If you are leaving a car on campus, store valuables in the trunk or someplace else they are not visible; keep your junk in your trunk, as they say.

If you are staying on campus, especially over winter break, while the sudden bounty of parking spaces and shorter lines at Starbucks can be great, remember there are fewer eyes on campus as well, and eyes help deter crooks. Use the same precautions you would during the school year and call CWRU PD if you observe suspicious activity around your residence or while travelling the area. CWRU PD doesn’t go anywhere during the holidays and we have to do our own laundry, so we will be here if you need us, 216-368-3333, as always. On the Beat will be back after the break, so happy (and safe) holidays to everyone.

On the Beat is a weekly safety column written by Sergeant Jeffrey Daberko & Officer Mark (The Crossing Guard) Chavis of CWRU PD. Send feedback to this or other columns at policecolumn@case.edu.