Shoppers hunting for sales also should keep their eyes out for crooks this holiday season, police warn.
Thieves take advantage of the crowded malls, department stores and parking lots to scout for their own deals – a car loaded with presents, an unzipped purse or a wad of cash flashed in the checkout line.
Criminals have even figured out how to break into your car by using high-tech gadgets to scan for the frequency used by your remote door opener. “Crooks are opportunistic, looking for the easiest things to steal,” Everett crime prevention officer Steve Paxton said. “It’s not more dangerous during the holidays. I just think people get distracted and let their guard down a little bit.”
Thousands of people flock to the malls during the holidays. With so many shoppers out and about, it can be easy for thieves to find what they’re looking for, said Lynnwood crime prevention specialist Shannon Sessions.
“The biggest thing is people need to be alert,” Sessions said. “You might be in the shopping zone, but you need to look around and pay attention.”
But there’s no need to be paranoid, Paxton said. With a little planning, shoppers can make it to the mall and back without a call to 911 or a stop at a police station.
Police recommend the following tips for crime-free shopping excursions:
* Lock your vehicle with your key, not the remote control. Thieves can use scanners to pick up the frequency of your remote and open your car with their own remote controls.
* Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Remember where you parked to avoid wandering around the parking lot with packages. Check your vehicle before entering and lock the doors immediately.
* Shop with friends or family. If you are alone, ask a security guard to escort you to your vehicle after dark.
* Don’t leave anything valuable visible in your car. Use your trunk. If you take packages to your vehicle and plan to return to the mall, move your vehicle to another part of the parking lot.
* Keep your valuables, including your purse or wallet, close to you. Men should consider wrapping a rubber band around their wallet so it will snag on their pocket if someone tries to steal it.
* Don’t display large amounts of cash and use automated teller machines only in well-lit locations. Shield your personal identification number.
* Don’t carry your keys in your purse. If it gets stolen, the thief will have your address and the keys to your home.
* Consider using an anti-theft device on your vehicle, such as a steering wheel lock. The Everett Police Department sells the locks for $10.86.
* Be smart at home. Once you make it home with your gifts, remember to lock doors and windows. Don’t leave packages in your vehicle even if it is parked in the driveway. When you’re away, consider using a timer for lights to make it look like you’re at home.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
