Stay safe this holiday season

Published 10:29 am Friday, November 23, 2007

Shoppers likely won’t be the only ones flocking to malls today on what is traditionally the busiest retail day of the year.

“Around this time of year, we have people who actually hang out in parking lots and watch,” said Aaron Snell, an Everett police crime prevention officer.

He’s not talking about police officers. He’s talking about bad guys who break into vehicles and steal belongings.

“It’s not a good thing, because you’ve bought a bunch of things and then they’re all gone,” Snell said.

Caution coupled with common sense can prevent people from becoming victims, experts said.

“For us here I think the No. 1 thing is for people to not leave packages in their cars,” Alderwood mall spokeswoman Koren Spas said. “People will see packages in a car and break in.”

The mall, which was scheduled to open for shopping just after midnight this morning, plans to have extra security patrols during the holiday rush, Spas said.

If people have no choice but to keep things in their vehicles, try to keep them concealed, Tulalip police deputy chief Bill Williams said.

People break windows when they see something of value, he said.

It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on valuables, especially handbags and purses, at all times, Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.

Be cautious using ATM machines, and don’t let people see large amounts of cash, she said.

With more people shopping over the Internet, more packages are being delivered to people’s homes.

Sometimes people will follow a delivery truck and steal boxes, Snell said.

The best way to avoid stolen packages is to make sure they’re not left unattended, he said.

“I would have them delivered to work or to a neighbor’s house,” if someone won’t be home to take the packages inside, he said.

Busy holiday shopping also will mean more people are expected on the roadways, Washington State Patrol trooper Keith Leary said.

Extra patrols are scheduled to keep traffic moving and arrest drunken drivers, he said.

“Please take a moment this holiday season to think about your own driving behaviors and how you can help keep our roadways safe,” he said.

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.

Holiday shopping safety tips

Police say you can avoid becoming a crime victim this holiday season by following a few simple safety tips:

n Don’t leave packages and other valuables visible in your car. Put them in the trunk or keep them with you while you shop.

n Keep a close eye on your purse while shopping. Don’t leave car keys in your handbag.

n Small children can get lost in crowded stores. Make sure they hold your hand and stay close.

n Be careful using ATM machines. Guard your security code.

n If you have packages delivered, be sure someone is home to bring them inside. Otherwise, have them delivered to work or a neighbor’s house.

n Plan extra time to navigate heavy traffic and crowded parking lots.

Source: Lynnwood, Everett and Tulalip police and the Washington State Patrol