Although the general consensus among Rollingwood and West Lake Hills residents is that they live in a relatively crime-free area, it is the season to be more careful than usual to avoid a common upswing in car and home burglaries. In a story on page 3, area law enforcement officials caution residents to take a few common-sense precautions that can minimize the chance of being the victim of seasonal crimes involving smash-and-grab thieves.

Because residents of West Lake Hills and Rollingwood are fortunate enough to have one police officer covering only a little more than a square mile or two during most of any 24-hour periods, there is perhaps good reason to feel safer than most other residents throughout Central Texas. But while that is a fair assumption, they should remember that thieves may not know that. Therefore, it is probably not a good idea to become too confident during the holidays.

Everyone can help law enforcement by keeping a close eye out for suspicious people and vehicles in neighborhoods. Law enforcement officers are quick to say that they welcome any help they can get in their efforts to keep us safe by apprehending criminals in the act of crimes.

The story in this issue offers an array of tips that are not meant to alarm anyone, only provide food for thought.

Keys to minimizing the possibility of begin victimized by those who commit crimes of opportunity include keeping valuables out of plain sight in cars before Christmas Day and abstaining from the temptation to place boxes that contained expensive gifts in front yards with the garbage after the holiday. These are simple measures that can contribute significantly to a safe, crime-free holiday season.