As of the 2024 - 2025 year, the Crime Watch Committee head is Christy Bryan.

Cooler Days, Safer Ways: Fall & Winter Safety in Our Neighborhood

Published August 29, 2025

As we transition into the cooler months, our community routines shift — from crisp autumn evenings outdoors to busy holiday schedules and early winter travel. While Plano continues to rank as one of the safest cities in the country, property crimes like burglary, theft, and vehicle break-ins are still the most common concerns. This season, a little extra vigilance can go a long way in protecting your home, family, and neighborhood.

🍂 Autumn Safety Reminders

• Light the Way: Days are shorter, and it gets darker earlier. Use motion-sensor or dusk-to-dawn lights to keep pathways, driveways, and porches illuminated.

• Porch Pirates Beware: As holiday shopping and package deliveries start to increase, so does porch theft. Use delivery lockers, require signatures, or coordinate with a neighbor to pick up packages.

• Yard & Garage Awareness: Fall yardwork often means tools left outside. Be sure to lock sheds, close garage doors, and secure ladders or equipment that could give easy access to windows.
  

🎁 Holiday Season Security

• Travel Smart: If you’re going away for any upcoming holidays, avoid posting travel updates to social media in real time. Ask a neighbor to pick up mail and packages, and consider putting your lights on timers.

• Gift Packaging: After unwrapping gifts, don’t advertise new purchases by placing boxes (TVs, electronics, etc.) curbside. Break them down and bag them discreetly.

• Community Spirit: This is a great time to get to know neighbors better. A friendly “eyes on the street” approach helps deter suspicious activity.
  

❄️ Early Winter Preparedness

• Pipe Protection: In North Texas, sudden freezes can still happen. Wrap outdoor faucets, drain sprinkler systems, and know where your water shut-off is located.

• Heater & Fireplace Safety: Before the first cold snap, check smoke detectors, clean chimneys, and keep space heaters away from flammables.

• Cold Weather Driving: Plano may not see heavy snow, but icy mornings and winter storms can arrive quickly. Drive cautiously, keep extra blankets in the car, and never leave your vehicle running unattended.
  

By staying alert and taking these seasonal steps, we not only safeguard our homes and property but also strengthen the community bond that makes Carriage Hills such a wonderful place to live. Let’s enjoy the cozy evenings, the holidays ahead, and a safe start to the Fall and Winter months together.

Resources from Plano Police Department

Registered Sex Offenders - www.familywatchdog.us

Texas Public Sex Offender Registry

Facebook – Plano Texas Police Department

Instagram – @planopolicedept

Community Camera Program – https://www.plano.gov/2356/Community-Camera-Program

• By registering your camera with the police department, they can quickly identify nearby cameras that may have captured criminal activity. You will only be contacted if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of your security camera.

Crime Map – www.communitycrimemap.com

Nextdoor - Office David Tilley is very active (search in your app store)

Youtube - Officer Christopher Bianez has a channel with “Safety Minute” videos covering many topics - binge watch them all!

Neighbors by Ring (app) – this is a neighborhood app to share alerts, comment on local issues and help make our communities safer for everyone. With this app, you can exactly draw the size of your neighborhood on a map and filter your feed with topics of interest. (search in your app store)

Text “planopd” to 555888 to download the free Neighbors App to see what’s going on in your community.

Citizens Police Academy - The Plano Police Department sponsors the Citizens Police Academy (CPA) with the goal of educating the residents of Plano on the operations of the department. The CPA is led by the Crime Prevention Unit, with all lectures and activities taught by Police Officers whose current assignments are directly involved in the policing activities covered in their segment of the academy. The CPA is conducted at the Plano-Richardson Police Training Center where the Plano and Richardson Police Agencies conduct their training. The equipment used during the CPA is the same equipment used to train Police Officers.

When not serving in her professional and volunteer roles, she also runs side businesses as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and a Real Estate Open House Host. In her free time, she enjoys date nights with her husband and playtime with her toddler.