Manager Giving Notice to Employee This Christmas

Vehicles: Holiday Lesson in Vigilance

The holiday season brings a mix of joy, celebration, and—unfortunately—opportunities for criminals to take advantage of the festive distractions. As we revel in the warmth of family gatherings and the excitement of gift-giving, it’s easy to overlook the risks lurking in the cold winter nights. This is a story of two vehicles and the lessons we can learn to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our possessions during this busy time of year.

The First Vehicle: A Hard Lesson Learned

Years ago, as a bellhop working the early shift during a snowy holiday season, I drove the executive shuttle to the airport. The mornings were frigid, and snow blanketed the ground, making everything feel eerily quiet. Thinking it was safe, I started the shuttle to warm it up before my next run. Who would be out in this weather at 6:30 a.m., after all?

When I returned just ten minutes later, the shuttle was gone.

At first, I thought it had to be a mistake. But reality quickly set in—someone had stolen the vehicle. To my disbelief, the culprits were joyriding kids who had spotted the running van, hopped in, and taken off. The vehicle was found two miles away, stuck in a snowbank. A little caution and awareness could have prevented the incident, but it taught me a critical lesson: criminals don’t take holidays off, and sometimes they’re the ones you least expect.

The Second Vehicle: A Prevented Theft

Fast forward to another snowy December, this time as a security consultant. A client called, concerned about a recent wave of “door jigglers” targeting unlocked cars in their neighborhood. I advised them to send out periodic reminders to their team and residents about the importance of securing their vehicles and never leaving them running unattended, even for a moment.

A week later, the client shared that one of their employees caught someone trying to open car doors in the parking lot. The thief moved on quickly because every door was locked. A simple heads-up email had raised awareness, and everyone took extra precautions.

Lessons for the Holidays

Whether you're a business manager, an employee, or a homeowner, the holidays are the perfect time to remind everyone of basic security measures. Criminals are opportunistic and rely on us letting our guard down. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Don’t Leave Vehicles Running Unattended Warm up your car while you’re inside it, even if it’s inconvenient. Unattended running vehicles are prime targets, especially during the holidays when people are rushing around.
2. Lock All Doors and Windows Whether it’s your car or your home, lock up before you leave. Door jigglers and handle lifters are looking for the easiest target.
3. Secure Valuables Don’t leave bags, gifts, or electronics in plain sight. Hide them or take them with you to avoid tempting would-be thieves.
4. Communicate With Your Team For businesses, periodic reminders to staff about security practices can go a long way. A quick email or team huddle can reinforce the importance of vigilance.
5. Be Aware of Unusual Activity Criminals take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the season. Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior and report it to the authorities if necessary.

A Manager’s Reminder

As managers, it’s important to instill a sense of awareness in your team. A quick announcement or email can serve as a friendly reminder to stay vigilant. Just because the holidays bring joy and warmth doesn’t mean we can ignore the cold, hard reality: criminals don’t take time off.

By sharing stories like these and taking small steps to stay alert, we can make sure that the only surprises this season are the ones wrapped in ribbons and bows—not the ones stuck in snowbanks. Stay safe, stay smart, and have a wonderful holiday season!

The holiday season brings a mix of joy, celebration, and—unfortunately—opportunities for criminals to take advantage of the festive distractions. As we revel in the warmth of family gatherings and the excitement of gift-giving, it’s easy to overlook the risks lurking in the cold winter nights. This is a story of two vehicles and the lessons we can learn to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our possessions during this busy time of year.

The First Vehicle: A Hard Lesson Learned

Years ago, as a bellhop working the early shift during a snowy holiday season, I drove the executive shuttle to the airport. The mornings were frigid, and snow blanketed the ground, making everything feel eerily quiet. Thinking it was safe, I started the shuttle to warm it up before my next run. Who would be out in this weather at 6:30 a.m., after all?

When I returned just ten minutes later, the shuttle was gone.

At first, I thought it had to be a mistake. But reality quickly set in—someone had stolen the vehicle. To my disbelief, the culprits were joyriding kids who had spotted the running van, hopped in, and taken off. The vehicle was found two miles away, stuck in a snowbank. A little caution and awareness could have prevented the incident, but it taught me a critical lesson: criminals don’t take holidays off, and sometimes they’re the ones you least expect.

The Second Vehicle: A Prevented Theft

Fast forward to another snowy December, this time as a security consultant. A client called, concerned about a recent wave of “door jigglers” targeting unlocked cars in their neighborhood. I advised them to send out periodic reminders to their team and residents about the importance of securing their vehicles and never leaving them running unattended, even for a moment.

A week later, the client shared that one of their employees caught someone trying to open car doors in the parking lot. The thief moved on quickly because every door was locked. A simple heads-up email had raised awareness, and everyone took extra precautions.

Lessons for the Holidays

Whether you're a business manager, an employee, or a homeowner, the holidays are the perfect time to remind everyone of basic security measures. Criminals are opportunistic and rely on us letting our guard down. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Don’t Leave Vehicles Running Unattended Warm up your car while you’re inside it, even if it’s inconvenient. Unattended running vehicles are prime targets, especially during the holidays when people are rushing around.
2. Lock All Doors and Windows Whether it’s your car or your home, lock up before you leave. Door jigglers and handle lifters are looking for the easiest target.
3. Secure Valuables Don’t leave bags, gifts, or electronics in plain sight. Hide them or take them with you to avoid tempting would-be thieves.
4. Communicate With Your Team For businesses, periodic reminders to staff about security practices can go a long way. A quick email or team huddle can reinforce the importance of vigilance.
5. Be Aware of Unusual Activity Criminals take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the season. Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior and report it to the authorities if necessary.

A Manager’s Reminder

As managers, it’s important to instill a sense of awareness in your team. A quick announcement or email can serve as a friendly reminder to stay vigilant. Just because the holidays bring joy and warmth doesn’t mean we can ignore the cold, hard reality: criminals don’t take time off.

By sharing stories like these and taking small steps to stay alert, we can make sure that the only surprises this season are the ones wrapped in ribbons and bows—not the ones stuck in snowbanks. Stay safe, stay smart, and have a wonderful holiday season!

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