Security guards stay busy during the holiday season because there is usually a seasonal spike in crimes. Burglary, robbery, and domestic violence all spike year after year around the winter holidays. This means that private individuals, communities, and businesses can all use some extra help staying safe.

Why Crimes Spike During Holidays

According to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), crimes spike around the holiday season because people have more time off, more opportunities to commit crimes, and are more likely to be intoxicated. This is likely an oversimplified answer, and many psychologists believe that the holiday season can alter the moods of many people inducing negative feelings and even leading some to depression that influences their likelihood of committing certain crimes.

Which Crimes Increase During the Holiday Season?

While there is a bit of an uptick in many types of crime during the holidays, these are the most common:

• Robbery: Robberies likely increase because many people carry extra money around the holidays due to gifting and shopping habits changing.
• Larceny: The stashing of gifts means you might be more likely to have high-value items that someone will try to take.
• Domestic Violence: Increased family pressures as well as a higher likelihood of being intoxicated make a violent event between housemates or family members more likely. 
• Vehicle Theft: Cold weather and shopping both can lead to more unattended vehicles, which means more opportunities to steal them.
• Counterfeiting: This is another situation where opportunity combines with financial pressures to create a spike in this type of crime.
• Shoplifting: Shoplifting may increase due to more opportunities since stores have much higher volumes of customers at this time of year- but criminals also have a better and higher dollar market for offloading their stolen goods around gifting holidays.

It’s important to note that the amount of crimes you see will probably also be determined by the normal crime rate in the local area where you live and shop. 

How Security Guards Prevent Crime During Holidays

Many security guards police hotels, apartment complexes, and HOA neighborhoods. In these cases, guards can help prevent crime by being prepared and vigilant. Their knowledge of neighborhoods and the people who should be coming and going helps them to notice a criminal who may seem out of place surveying an area for opportunity.

Mobile patrols put security guards in the right position to catch a break-in, whether it be to a home or vehicle, while it is occurring or see the criminals attempting their getaway. 

Security guards also help prevent crime simply by having a uniformed presence that makes people aware that it isn’t easy to get away with committing crimes in that area. 

Security Guards and Retail Theft

Retail theft is a problem year-round, but the holidays see an even larger rise in this type of issue. Security guards can man cameras and electronic tag sensors to help deter theft.. They can also patrol parking lots to prevent theft of goods from customers. 

Best of all guards provide excellent resources for police officers and greatly increase the odds of recovering property and successful prosecution after a theft. 

Security Guards for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is a fun and exciting holiday, but it does bring out the crowds and increase the chances of dealing with people who are intoxicated. Especially in places like NYC with significant celebrations, an uptick in crime can be a real problem.
If you are concerned about an increase in crime around the holidays, Elite Investigations can help. Call (866) 779-5017 today or visit online to find out how professional security guards can keep you safe this holiday season.