It's the beginning of the holiday hopping season, which is always an exciting and frenzied time. It is also the time when many thefts and other crimes of opportunity occur. Circulate the following information around your communities to remind everyone to remain safe.
- Lock your vehicle immediately after getting out of it.
- Do not leave valuables visible (i.e purses on seats, GPS in windows, change/money, etc.).
- Avoid shopping alone.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and be prepared to enter your vehicle immediately with keys in hand.
- Pay attention to suspicious characters in parking lots and store entrances.
- Limit the number of credit cards and amount of cash you carry.
- Only use or give store-purchased gift cards.
- When using credit and debit cards, give it to the cashier face down and numbers covered.
- Do not advertise your purchases, and carry items in bags.
- If you are putting purchases in the trunk and plan to return shopping in the same area, move your car to another space.