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Everything You Need to Know About Holiday Crime

By Christopher Coble, Esq. on November 20, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

The holiday season always approaches fast. First Thanksgiving. Then Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. And then right on into New Year's Eve and Day. A time for celebration, sure. But a time for crime as well.

There a natural spike in crime around the holidays, from the intentional -- targeting vacant homes and overstuffed businesses -- to the unintentional -- one too many beers or egg nogs before driving. Shoplifting may be up (surprise, surprise) as well as domestic incidents brought on by family or financial stress. So before the holidays descend upon us, here's how to keep yourself out of trouble, and what to do if you can't.

1. Top 5 Holiday DUI Tips

We're all celebrating, some of us a little too much. And the cops know this. That's why you're going to see a lot more DUI checkpoints around the holidays and police will be stepping up drunk driving awareness and enforcement. The one good thing? Ridesharing apps have never been more popular, and your local pub may be offering free taxi rides to keep you out of trouble.

2. 5 Ways Black Friday Can Get You Arrested

You're just looking for a good deal on a new TV. But we've all seen how those door-buster sales end up. Don't take that parking spot too seriously, don't get light fingers inside the store, and don't try to get too good of a deal on something that "fell off the truck."

3. Do Domestic Abuse Rates Rise Over the Holidays?

It's certainly a myth that makes the rounds: an increase in alcohol consumption, coupled with pa decrease in bank account balance leads to domestic violence spikes during the holidays. But is it actually true? One recent study found that domestic dipped below the year-round average on Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, but reports of abuse jumped on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

4. 5 Common Holiday Crime Spikes

What other crimes may be more common over the holidays? How about vehicle theft and vandalism?

5. 5 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Prison

It's not how it's depicted on the Hallmark Card, but it's the reality for many Americans. Spending a holiday behind bars can be bleak, but there are ways to avoid it, and ways to cope.

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