GPS Tracking Devices Used to Thwart Nativity Scene Grinch
11 Dec 2012Who steals figurines from a nativity scene? Apparently, lots of people, including stealing the centerpiece and star of the scene: Baby Jesus.
Holiday crimes traditionally involve breaking into cars in busy shopping mall parking lots or homes to steal gifts and presents. Unfortunately, for years this has affected families who not only lose the money spent, but the presents that aren’t available to their children or other family members. But the stealing of presents isn’t the only holiday crime people need to be concerned about these days.
The theft of outdoor holiday decorations, lights, and displays is on the rise. Families may go to sleep and wake up to find that their pricey decorations have been stolen in the dark of the night, whether from a passerby who took advantage or a not-so-nice neighbor who has been lurking about. Even statues and displays larger than life size are being stolen. Some outdoor displays contain homemade, sentimental items, while others took numerous hours to set up.
In addition to homeowners reporting thefts of their outdoor holiday decorations, churches across the United States are reporting crimes of their nativity scenes, which are often in front of the church and left there until after Christmas day. While all the figurines in a nativity scene are targeted, it’s the Baby Jesus that’s most often the chosen one by thieves.
While homeowners and public officials have in the past tried to glue, nail, tie, or even bolt down these items, thieves still find a way to snatch them. For most people and organizations, these decorations, symbols, and means to greet the the holiday season are long gone without a trace. Historically there’s been an extremely low chance of ever recovering these expensive-to-replace item or finding out who committed the theft.
But, in an attempt to protect their property, many savvy people from churches, businesses, public buildings, and homes are adorning their valuable nativity sets and other pricey holiday decorations with GPS tracking devices. Churches along with families are now using modern technology to help catch the vandals and get their outdoor decorations back.
By securing nativity scene property with GPS tracking devices, public officials, church personnel, homeowners, and law enforcement agencies know if the nativity scene pieces are moved, and have real-time look as to the location of their missing property.
Churches, homeowners, and businesses with expensive nativity scenes or other holiday decorations are also urged to place GPS trackers in items they fear might be stolen.
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