Holiday time brings with it more crime
With the arrival of the holidays comes an upturn in crime as criminals take advantage of the increased traffic in stores and merchandise shoppers often leave inside their vehicles.
“We generally see more cases of thefts, shoplifting and car burglaries around the holiday season,” said McMinnville Police Capt. Bryan Denton.
Much of the crime happens in public places such as shopping areas, Denton said, where there are high concentrations of people and it is easy for a thief to disappear into a crowd. The higher amount of crowds at shopping areas make it easier for a thief to blend in with the crowd.
One area of concerns is thefts of items such as purses and wallets. In years past, there have been several reports of purses being taken from shopping carts. The thefts eventually led to identity thefts where the victim’s credit cards and checks were fraudulently used.
“Women who carry purses should keep them on them at all times, preferably around their arm,” Denton said. “All it takes is turning your back for a second and a thief can remove it from a shopping cart and be gone.”
While not as frequent, cases of pick-pocketing wallets have also been reported, leading to similar incidents of identity theft. Police recommend person who carry wallets, when in a crowded shopping area, place their wallets in their front pockets to make it harder for a pick-pocket.
Along with customers, Denton said it is important for merchants to remain vigilant since much of the annual shrinkage in merchandise occurs during the Christmas season as shoplifters use the heavier crowds to mask their crimes. Denton said one thing merchants can do is to educate temporary workers on shoplifting prevention.
Along with being cautious inside shopping areas, police note much of the holiday crime occurs in parking lots where thieves search for easy prey.
“Always lock your car door,” Denton said. “It sounds obvious, but most auto burglaries are committed in cases where car doors were left unlocked. Thieves will usually look for the easiest target and there’s no easier target than an unlocked car door.”
Police say the best policy is to keep your purchases with you while shopping, taking them all to your vehicle when you are through shopping. Any valuables or merchandise should be locked in your vehicle’s trunk away from the view of a would-be thief since burglaries are much more likely in cases where the thief can see his target. Shoppers should also beware of their surroundings and who may be watching them store their merchandise.
Police also recommend shopping during daylight hours when possible, especially in cases where a lot of merchandise will be purchased. Auto theft rates skyrocket during the evening hours since it is easier for a thief to go undetected under the cover of darkness. Motorists should always try to park in a well-lit area at shopping centers.
Denton said anyone who becomes a victim of such crimes should report the theft immediately. The quicker the report, the better chance there is of catching the thief.
Tips for holiday shopping
• Never leave a purse unattended in a shopping cart, if even for a few moments
• Carry your wallet in your front pocket
• Always lock your car doors
• Try to conceal merchandise left in your car – especially expensive electronics and jewelry