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| Community - Be alert when shopping this holiday season |
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Sheriff Tony Mancuso advises shoppers "Be alert when shopping this holiday season"
There’s a certain buzz of excitement this time of year that indicates
the holiday season is upon us. There’s anticipation in the children’s
eyes as they’re anxiously waiting to sit on Santa’s lap, and parents’
faces also have a cheerful countenance as they busily hustle about in
preparation.
The streets and houses even have that special glimmer and glow that let
us know the holiday season has clearly arrived. The holiday season may
very well be the “most wonderful time of the year” for shoppers. With
such dazzling displays of colors, lights, and sounds in every
storefront and walkway shoppers can easily zone out and fall into
“shopping mode” oblivious to the reality around them. “Unfortunately,
when shopping, people sometimes have a tendency to become distracted
and lose sight of their personal safety, but don’t become so
preoccupied with the thrill and excitement of shopping and holiday
festivities that you lose your sense of good judgment when it comes to
your personal safety,” warns Sheriff Mancuso.
Sheriff Mancuso advises that it may also be the “most wonderful time of
year” for criminals. This time of year has a tendency to attract more
shopping-related criminal activity because thieves prey upon larger
crowds and extended store hours. These factors, combined with the
usual distractions related to shopping, create a more favorable
environment for petty thieves and other offenders.
Despite the fact that security measures are being heightened to protect
shoppers across the country, he is warning Calcasieu Parish residents
to keep their guard up to avoid becoming one of the millions of people
victimized by crime each year.
Sheriff Mancuso suggests busy shoppers take some safety precautions to
reduce their chances of being victimized by criminals who thrive on
shoppers at this time of the year. Those safety precautions include:
BEFORE YOU LEAVE:
- There is safety in numbers. Always try to shop with another person. A single shopper is the ultimate target for theft.
- When going shopping, make sure you tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return home.
- Try
and avoid taking young children into busy shopping areas, but if it is
unavoidable make sure they know what to do if they lose you. e.g.,
tell the nearest counter assistant that they are lost and NEVER leave a
shop without you.
- Agree on a meeting point with older children in case you get separated.
- Before
going shopping, remove from your wallet or purse any credit cards or
other valuable identification that you will not need to reduce risk.
- Make
a list of all credit card numbers and the numbers to call in case they
are lost or stolen. This will make the incident a lot easier to report.
WHILE SHOPPING:
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times,
especially in busy areas where thieves and pickpockets target purses
and bags left unattended.
- Be aware that wearing headphones will decrease your ability to stay alert to your surroundings.
- Be
alert to distraction theft. Watch out for thieves using a “tag team”
approach. While one person distracts you by bumping into you or
through conversation, the other is snatching your purse or wallet.
- Don’t get loaded down with too many bags. Plan for your heaviest purchases last. Try to keep one hand free.
- If
you are in a store and sense that you are being followed, locate a
store employee or security personnel. Be prepared to give them a
complete description of the person you suspect.
- If you think you spot a thief or pickpocket alert the police or security staff. Avoid a confrontation whenever possible.
- If carrying cash, keep it in a front pocket. This makes it more difficult for a pickpocket to remove.
- Store car keys in a pant or jacket pocket. If your purse is stolen, you will still be able to drive home.
- Always carry a cell phone for easy access to emergency services.
PARKING LOT SAFETY:
- Don’t leave lots of presents on display in a parked car as they could tempt thieves. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.
- Plan ahead. If you know you are going to return to your car after nightfall, park in a well-lit area. Note your parking place.
- If you feel uneasy returning to your car alone, find a security guard and ask him to walk you to your car.
- Have your car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle.
- When approaching your car, check around it and in the back seat.
Sheriff Mancuso concluded, “Have a safe and joyous holiday season from your Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.”
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