First of all let me say, “Congrats” to all of the graduates of St. John Parish. It doesn’t matter if you are graduating from Pre-K4, kindergarten, eighth grade, high school or college; graduation is a great event to celebrate.

But keep in mind that most of the time it is just the beginning of bigger and better things to come.

And now it’s summertime! Unfortunately, it is also a time when the Sheriff’s Office can expect some of the usual summer trends. We usually see an increase in criminal mischief, vehicle and residential burglaries during these hot months.

I would like to share some crime prevention tips that can help us all have a safer summer.

This is the busiest time of year for families to go away for extended vacations. Multiple newspapers on your driveway can easily be an indicator you have not been home for a few days. Call your local newspaper to put a stop on paper delivery.

Also, you can complete paperwork at the post office to have your mail delivery temporarily stopped. If you are lucky enough to have a neighbor that could pick up the papers and mail, that would be just as good.

Don’t advertise on social media when you and your family are leaving for vacation. Criminals look for messages that let them know no one will be at your house for the next seven days. Please wait until you return to share your vacation pictures on social media.

If you have young kids that may be staying home alone for the first time this summer, families should develop a “password system,” where if anyone knocks on the door at home, the kids can ask for the password.

This could be a private word, song, number, quote, color etc. for just you and your family. This tactic works very well on vacation in hotels if kids are alone in a hotel room for short periods of time.

When flying, use business cards on luggage tags with cell number and work address only, if possible. There have been cases where baggage handlers know you are leaving town and will copy your home address and home telephone number.

When they call and no one answers, it’s a perfect opportunity to burglarize your home because now they have the address.

Car accidents also pick up in the summer. Most drivers are riding with the windows rolled up and the A/C on high. It makes it more difficult to hear a train whistle or horn blowing.

Texting and driving is something you never get better at. If you haven’t been involved in a car accident because you were texting and driving, that doesn’t mean you are good … it just means you are lucky, so far.

Lastly if you are going to travel with a large group, give everybody a number and count off especially before and after rest stops, dining, visiting parks, etc. It sounds old fashion, but safety first!

Have a safe summer St. John!!

Sheriff Mike Tregre can be reached at sheriff@ stjohnsheriff.org.