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Columbus police on CTV urge vigilance over holidays, outline scams, package-theft tips and house-watch program
Summary
On CTV's City Chat, Columbus police advised residents to stay aware during the holidays, offered steps to verify charitable solicitations, recommended delivery options to reduce porch theft, and explained the department's house-watch registration process.
Columbus police officers speaking on CTV's City Chat urged residents to increase basic precautions over the holiday season, emphasizing personal awareness, how to avoid scams and practical steps to protect packages and homes.
The host, Josie Smith, introduced the segment by saying officers from the Columbus Division of Police would share tips for "protecting our homes, our kids, and our celebrations." A Columbus police officer warned that distracted shoppers and pedestrians are easy targets and advised people to avoid being "fixated on their phones," make eye contact with others and report suspicious behavior to police.
Officers described common holiday scams that prey on goodwill, including solicitations posing as charities. "There's actually places to go online," one officer said, pointing listeners to the Ohio Attorney General's office website to verify charities before donating. They also warned that legitimate agencies such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Internal Revenue Service generally will not send texts about fines or tickets and encouraged people to verify any unexpected requests for personal information by calling a known number for the organization.
If people do lose money to fraud, officers said banks often help recover credit-card charges but that many scams remain civil matters because investigators frequently lack identifying information to pursue criminal cases. "If you use a credit card, I think a lot of folks ... can get your restitution back," one officer said.
On package theft, the officers urged residents to choose secure delivery options when available: delivery lockers, store pick-up and one-time delivery codes for smart-garage systems. They recommended retrieving packages promptly and using delivery alerts and photos so items do not sit unattended. "Just don't be that opportunity," an officer said, describing people who drive through neighborhoods looking for packages left on porches.
Delivery drivers were also urged to watch for suspicious vehicles that might be following them and to report recurring patterns to police with vehicle descriptions and locations. Officers encouraged neighbors and family members to collect packages if a household will be away.
The Columbus Division of Police described a house-watch program for residents who will be gone: callers within city limits can register vacation dates and emergency contact information with the department's radio room at the number provided on-air (66454545). Officers emphasized the program does not mean hourly checks but that registering provides patrol officers with contact information should an incident occur.
Officers repeatedly stressed a balance between precaution and everyday life: they urged modest, practical steps—timers for lights, holding mail via the United States Postal Service app, clearing driveways in snow—to make homes appear occupied without living in fear. They closed by urging residents to trust their instincts and to report any behavior that makes them uneasy so incidents are documented.
The segment ended with host Josie Smith thanking the officers and inviting viewers to provide feedback on the program.
