Going away for the holidays can create worries for people living in neighborhoods where break-ins are likely to occur.

Investigator Chan McDade of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has a tip if you’re heading out of town over the next week or so.

“Have someone to pick up their mail or their packages, if any packages are to be delivered,” said McDade.

And be assured that Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies watching things while you’re gone.

Deputies in marked patrol cars, as well as “unmarked and unconventional vehicles” will make regular cruises though residential neighborhoods, in an effort to reduce break-ins.

But they can’t do it alone. So if you happen to be home for the holidays, please call 911 if you see any suspicious activity on your street.

That includes suspicious vehicles, persons, or behavior. McDade said he’s actually encouraged when neighbors report unmarked Sheriff’s Office vehicles as suspicious.

“At least they’re paying attention and calling 911 when they see something that’s out of the ordinary,” said McDade, “and that’s what we want them to do.”

Putting reports of suspicious-looking sheriff’s cars aside, the motto of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is: “If it’s concerning to you, it’s concerning to us.”

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