A FEW days from now it will be Christmas. As in other years, the mood is jolly and festive, with workers in the private or government sector getting their bonuses and other privileges, usually monetary in form. Indeed, this is the most awaited month of the year for a little economic luxury.
It is also in this time of the year when statistics prove that there is the surge in street crimes particularly swindling, theft and robbery cases. Criminals might be anticipating the roll of money on people who might have filled their pockets with their perks from their employers.
Recently, we have observed that there are many night markets and other forms of “tiangges” in public places, these aside from the malls, are crowd drawers during the season. People are all agog shopping and buying anything for Christmas. A number of hold-uppers, snatchers, pickpockets and the like thrive in crowded places.
Just a week ago, a housewife neighbor of ours got her purse snatched by a criminal whom she described to be a boy in his teens and who seemed to be adept with the crime he committed. Prior to the incident, the victim was distracted by a bogus commotion of people who are perhaps are accomplices of the snatcher.
In some crowded places, pickpockets easily do their stuff with their victims somewhat hypnotized. Perpetrators seem to have a hand quicker than the eyes and the minds of their victims that they easily get what they want from bags or pockets of their helpless prey.
There are likewise “budol-budol” incidents wherein a businesswoman was persuaded by two people who extracted money from the victim who was lured for an investment scheme. The bait were pieces of money which turned out to be cut pages of magazines that looked like bundles of bills.
Carnapping is also prevalent during which people flock to malls and believe it or not despite the presence of security guards in parking lots, car thieves can still perpetrate their acts.
In a police report, robbers emptied the house of a family who went on a tour in Boracay. The criminals posed as visitors of the dwelling and even parked their heavily tinted van in the garage. They switched on the radio of their vehicle with the apparent intent to make the neighbors unsuspecting of their criminal acts.
The robbers, using picklocks, didn't even have to use force to open doors, cabinets and drawers of the house they robbed. The refrigerator was not even spared of the thievery as the criminals even got food from it and had their snacks.
Many people need money during the season. Sadly, there are those who would do everything even it if means committing illegal acts just to have their intent to gain realized. Often, victims are those who have toiled to have their hard-earned money spent for their needs.
In this time of the year when people spent so much of their earnings buying something for themselves or for others as gifts, we may say that they beware in their buying and purchasing of anything for Christmas. However, we should likewise be careful and mindful too of the various modus of criminals who are getting smarter in victimizing people.
***
For any comments, ideas, suggestions or opinions, text or call The Advocate at 0921-3636360 or send email at dencious@gmail.com