At the Austin Police Department (APD), the safety and security of our community is of the upmost importance. Below are some safety tips that cover the holiday season, Austin music festivals, back to school, and more. 

Mail Theft

Texas Penal Code - § 31.20. Mail Theft: A person commits an offense if the person intentionally appropriates mail from another person's mailbox or premises without the effective consent of the addressee and with the intent to deprive that addressee of the mail.

Mail theft is always on the rise during holiday seasons. This is primarily due to the high volume of packages and envelopes containing valuable items delivered during these times. 

Thefts can include mail/packages being taken from private mailboxes, community mailboxes, or from in front of your door or residence. 

While the loss of items can be frustrating and upsetting, many of these items may be covered by the company from which the items were ordered. The more critical issue that comes into play is when identifying information is stolen. This can cause long-lasting problems with fraud and other identity theft issues.

How do I prevent mail theft from happening?

  • Check your mailbox regularly, and do not allow mail to pile up. This can increase the chance that you become a victim. 
  • Track your package or mail of high value or when it contains sensitive information. 
  • Do your best to be home and collect packages delivered in an unsecured environment, such as your porch, as quickly as possible.
  • Use a secure mailbox, such as at the post office, if you are particularly concerned about the contents of your package or mail. 
  • Become familiar with your neighbors and surroundings. Build a strong sense of community in your area and be aware of individuals who may be out of place or acting suspiciously.
  • Opt to receive items such as bills or other sensitive information electronically when practical.
  • Thieves generally look for the “easy” target. Make you and your belongings a challenging target; they will be much more likely to avoid you. 

What happens if I become a victim of Mail Theft?

  • Call 3-1-1 or file a police report online as soon as possible to report the incident.
  • Be able to provide as much information as possible, to include any items that may be trackable or have serial numbers, time frames, suspect descriptions, or vehicle descriptions. 
  • Check for cameras in the area to see if that information may be useful during a potential follow-up investigation.
  • Contact the company or sender of the package and make them aware of the situation.
  • Contact your insurance company when appropriate.

Please be patient. While your crime is incredibly important to the Austin Police Department, we see a significant increase in these crimes during the holiday season. Every case is forwarded to a detective for review, and we work as diligently as possible to provide each case with the focus and time it deserves.  

Holiday Shopping Tips

We would like to remind the public to take extra precautions this holiday season when shopping. Vehicle crimes tend to escalate at popular shopping areas all over the city this time of year. The good news is that these crimes are preventable.

It’s a known fact, that during this season, thieves are targeting shopping malls, apartment complexes, convenience stores, and any parking facilities including residential driveways.

Items stolen include laptop computers, purses, wallets, cell phones, cameras, credit cards, GPS systems, radios, and other items left in plain view.

Please remember to always lock your vehicle and take all keys, leave no valuables in plain sight and follow these crime prevention tips:

  • Prioritize shopping – If you are going out shopping and you know, you are going to buy a large, expensive item, try to make that purchase last, so you don’t have to leave it in your vehicle while shopping elsewhere.
  • Don’t leave valuables or even anything perceived as valuable in plain view such as empty purses and laptop bags, mail, phone chargers, etc. If it appears to have value, hide it or remove it from your vehicle.
  • Lock Your Car and take your keys – if you have a TOUCH PAD entry, or a KEYLESS FOB: DON’T lock your car key inside believing it is secure. Car thieves specifically target touch pad entry and keyless fob vehicles because they know it is far more likely that owners lock a key inside.
  • Always Park in a well-lighted and observable area.
  • Have the keys to your vehicle in hand before walking out of a store. This will prevent you from having your attention diverted from having to feel around for keys.
  • Stay alert and avoid talking/texting on your phone while walking to and from your vehicle. Talking or texting while walking diverts your attention and makes you a more accessible target.

Remember, the best way to avoid becoming a victim is to be proactive.

Holiday Tips to Keep You and Your Property Safe 

The Austin Police Department would like to remind Austin citizens that the period immediately after Thanksgiving/Black Friday and Christmas typically sparks a rise in burglaries. In order to help keep your possessions safe, we would like to remind you of the following:

  • Break down all boxes from your gifts and place them in a closed recycling container to prevent burglars from knowing there are new items in your residence.
  • Close window shades and blinds when no one is home to prevent burglars from window shopping in your home.
  • Close and lock all windows and doors prior to leaving your residence.
  • Secure all valuables from immediate view such as laptops, cellphones, wallets, etc.; if a burglar looks in and sees a laptop close to the door or window, it becomes an easy target.
  • Close and lock your garage, as well as any storage sheds, on your property.
  • Record all serial numbers of valuables so that police can have the opportunity to try to recover your property if it is stolen; if you keep your list in an electronic device, ensure you have a printed copy available in the event your device is stolen.
  • Call in suspicious persons and vehicles to 911 immediately, so that officers can identify the intentions of the person and/or vehicle in your neighborhood.
  • Recommendation: If possible, installing security cameras (even inexpensive ones) can significantly help police solve a case.
Back to School Safety Tips

Tips for Drivers:

  • Stay alert.
  • Be mindful of children at bus stops.
  • Slow down.
  • Obey school zone speed limit signs and all traffic rules.
  • Drive safely around school buses.
  • Drop off and pick up children in the designated areas.

Tips for Students:

  • Don't run between vehicles.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Cross at intersections and designated crosswalks.
  • Obey crossing guards.
  • Walk on sidewalks.
  • Wear a helmet when riding a bike.

School Bus (Un)/Loading Safety Tips:

  • Follow at a safe distance.
  • Always remain alert for children around buses.
  • Stop for flashing red lights or a stop sign on a school bus regardless of which direction you’re headed.
  • Violations can lead to a monetary fine.
  • Arrive at least 5 minutes early.
  • Stand as far back from the curb as possible while waiting.
  • Wait until the driver signals that it’s safe to board.
  • Sit still to avoid distracting the driver.
  • After exiting the bus, cross only in front of the bus, never behind it.

Do you know when to stop for a school bus?

  • If the red lights on the bus are flashing, the sign arm is extended, STOP for the bus loading and unloading children.
  • On a two-lane road OR divided roadway with NO median, all drivers in both directions must STOP.
  • Even if there's a center lane for turning, STOP.
  • Proceed with caution: If the roadway is separated by a PHYSICAL BARRIER for traffic, e.g. a median, only cars travelling in the OPPOSITE direction may PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
Fall and Spring Music Festival Safety Tips
  • If you bring a purse or fanny pack, make sure it's zipped or locked.
  • Don't keep your phone in your back pocket or sticking out of a backpack.
  • Keep valuables in safe and different locations.
  • Bring only the essentials and leave the rest at home.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings.
  • Plan a sober ride to and from the festival.
  • Do not take anything from strangers.
  • Plan to meet at a common spot in case you get separated.
Halloween Safety Tips
  • Trick or Treat in a group with adult supervision.
  • Watch for traffic. Never run into streets, look both ways when crossing, and always cross at intersections or cross walks.
  • Make sure costumes are visible and can be seen by drivers.
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing streets so you know you have been seen.
  • Children should stay on the sidewalk when trick-or-treating.
  • Only visit homes that have well-lit entry ways.
  • Do not enter cars or homes of strangers.
  • Carry either a flashlight or a "glow-stick".
  • Masks should fit comfortably so that you can see and breathe easily.
  • Be alert to children and adult pedestrians that may enter the roadway.
  • Drive slowly through residential streets and be ready to stop.
  • Don’t drink and Drive when celebrating. Plan ahead a safe ride home.
  • Don’t be distracted while driving, text later, turn the music down, and pay attention to the road.
Celebratory Gunfire and Fireworks in the City of Austin

Every year, celebratory gunfire, or discharging firearms into the air account for many injuries and in some cases, deaths throughout the US. Additionally, popping fireworks within the city limits is a dangerous practice. Although it may seem harmless, every year, millions of dollars of damage occur from fireworks to homes, businesses, and wooded areas, causing destruction, and sometimes death.

Discharging a firearm or possessing fireworks within the city limits is not only illegal, it is very dangerous. Punishment may range from jail time, to fines, or both.