It’s one week until Christmas, but many people are already out-and-about doing some traveling or maybe some shopping. But while you’re away from home, law enforcement wants to make sure your property is protected by sharing some tips to prevent any holiday thieves.

The Chapel Hill Police Department are taking steps to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible during this holiday season. Police Chief Chris Blue says an annual spike in break-ins is seen during this time as many people are traveling or have an increased amount of valuables in their homes.

“During the holidays we’re particularly vulnerable to property crime,” says Blue. “We’re traveling, our houses may be left unoccupied for a period of time, we have goodies in the back seat of our car in plain view.”

Blue says this leads to a spike in crime each year, which the department is seeking to combat with helpful tips and their annual “House Check” program. Citizens are encouraged to share their holiday travel plans with the police department who will increase patrols in the area to ensure that their homes and valuables are safe.

The Chapel Hill Police Chief also says one of the best ways to protect your home from burglary this holiday season is talking to your neighbors about when you may be leaving town.

“Use the holiday time as an opportunity to get to know your neighbors if you don’t already,” says Blue. “Let them know what your travel plans are, maybe hear their plans and commit to looking out to each other.”

To see a full list of holiday safety tips or to sign up for House Checks, visit the town’s website.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Police Creates Team to Investigate Vehicle Break-Ins; 14 Reported Over Weekend
The department said it responded to 14 vehicle break-ins over the weekend, and 320 so far in 2026. The team will focus on finding patterns.
Chapel Hill Police Share Details on Increase of Car Break-ins
Over the last three months, there has been a rise in reported car break-ins, according to Chapel Hill Police. The department shared a release on Thursday, saying it received 122 reports of cars being broken into over that time period. Police said most of the break-ins happened overnight and in residential areas of town. Eleven […]
Chapel Hill Police: 18 Vehicle Break-Ins Reported on Monday
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating a recent string of vehicle break-ins around neighborhoods off Homestead Road. The department shared a release Tuesday, saying 18 break-ins were reported from early Monday morning on Abbot Place and other residential streets in the area. Police said all 18 vehicles broken into were unlocked at the time. […]
Orange County Authorities Investigating Break-Ins, Searching for Suspects
The Chapel Hill Police Department, as well as the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, is searching for suspects following a recent string of break-ins reported in the area. Chapel Hill Police shared a release on Tuesday detailing a break-in on Laurens Way in Chapel Hill. Authorities said the department was alerted to a breaking and entering […]
Chapel Hill Police's Guardians of the Hill 5K Race Set for Saturday
The Chapel Hill Police Department is preparing to host its annual Guardians of the Hill 5K race. This year, the 5K will be Saturday October 12 at the Southern Community Park in Southern Village. The course consists of running north on the greenway to the intersection of Culbreth Road and US 15-501 before running back […]
Chapel Hill Police Investigating Southern Village Car Break-Ins, Thefts
Chapel Hill Police are investigating a string of car break-ins and thefts in Southern Village early Wednesday morning. Authorities said “multiple car breaking and entering cases and car thefts” took place between 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. in the area of Greenview and Copperline drives. “We’re looking for anyone with doorbell cameras or surveillance cameras […]
UNC Football Players Charged with Carrying Concealed Handgun, Speeding After Traffic Stop
UNC football player Keeyun Chapman was arrested for carrying a concealed handgun and teammate C.J. Sadler was cited for speeding during a traffic stop Tuesday night in Chapel Hill. The police report for Chapman’s arrest notes the traffic stop took place at 1050 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at 9:30 p.m. The charge against him […]
Chapel Hill Police Investigating 'About 60' Vehicle Break-Ins Early Saturday Morning
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating a spike in vehicle break-ins around town early Saturday morning. Police reported “about 60” break-ins which occurred between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. along major routes like Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Raleigh Road. Most of the break-ins reportedly happened in hotel and apartment complex parking lots, […]
3 Juveniles Arrested Following Series of Chapel Hill Vehicle Break-Ins
Three juveniles are facing charges following a series of vehicle break-ins in Chapel Hill Tuesday. In a release, the Town of Chapel Hill confirmed the break-ins occurred between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in two areas: Franklin Street and Estes Drive Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Weaver Dairy Road The town release says officers […]
Ex-Officer Accused of Plotting New Orleans Attack is Released After Grand Jury Declines to Indict
A Louisiana grand jury declined to indict Christopher Gillum on a state terrorism charge that could have carried up to a 15-year sentence.
›