The holiday shopping season is here. When you’re at the mall looking for gifts, take the following precautions to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Vehicle prowl prevention
Large parking locations such as shopping centers are prime targets for a prowler since multiple vehicles can be hit in a short time span. To avoid being a target:
• Use a garage or secure location whenever possible.
• Park in well-lit areas where your car can be seen.
• Avoid isolated areas. Park near locations frequently used by pedestrians.
• If you hear something suspicious (shattering glass) or see someone looking into vehicles, call 911.
• Roll up the windows and lock all doors.
• Secure the trunk, hatches, bed-mounted tool boxes and canopies.
• Activate your alarm.
• If you have a removable car stereo, remove it.
• Install anti-theft devices.
• Don’t leave packages or bags of any kind visible on the seats or floor of your car. Use the trunk.
• If you take packages to your car trunk and want to go back to the mall, move your car. Many vehicles have a trunk release inside the car (in the glove box or by the driver). If the thief sees something that you have just purchased that he or she wants, he or she can easily break a window and open your trunk.
Parking lot/ Personal safety
• Consider using the mall’s valet parking service if it offers one.
• Make a note of your parking spot so that you don’t have to wander around the parking lot after shopping.
• Have your keys in your hand before leaving the mall and walk purposely to your car.
• Make sure nobody is in the car before entering, and lock the doors immediately when you get inside.
• If you are leaving a mall alone at night, you may request a security escort to your car.
• Choose an ATM located inside a mall, grocery store or well-lighted location. Withdraw only the amount of cash you need. Shield the ATM keypad from anyone who is standing near you so they cannot view your transaction or obtain your PIN. Do not throw your ATM receipt away.
• Don’t display large sums of cash in public. Be discreet about money or other valuables you are carrying.
• Be alert in public restrooms. If anything seems amiss or if a group of people is loitering in the area, leave quickly and find another facility.
• Stay alert in crowds to protect your valuables. A thief can use the cover of the crowd to make a quick getaway after stealing your wallet or shopping bag.
• Take only the credit cards you NEED for shopping; leave the rest at home.
• Ladies, carry your purses close to your body and separate your cash from your credit card.
• Men, consider carrying your wallet in a front pocket and/or adding a large rubber band around it so if a thief tries to swipe it, it will get caught on the pocket.
• Don’t keep your keys in your purse. If your purse is stolen, the thief will have your address and keys to your home. Keep your keys in your pocket without an ID.
For more information about preventing identity theft or helping holiday hosts curb DUI, contact the Lynnwood Police Crime Prevention Unit at 425-670-5635.
Mountlake Terrace police awarded state accreditation
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs awarded the city of Mountlake Terrace Police Department with state accreditation at the Nov. 21 City Council meeting.
The department recently received a perfect accreditation score after an onsite review by WASPC. The department was the only police agency in the state to go through the process without any negative reviews in the 140 areas scrutinized. Achieving the accreditation is a significant milestone for the police department.
Garry Anderson, WASPC professional services director, presented the award to Police Chief Greg Wilson and Office of Professional Responsibility Officer Kim Berg and explained that Mountlake Terrace is one of only 53 agencies in the state that have successfully attained accreditation. He added, “This is meant to be a difficult process, but this department, and Officer Berg in particular, did an outstanding job. I have done over 70 accreditation reviews and this one was right up there with the best.”
LYNNWOOD/BRIER
Nov. 28: Theft. 3000 block 184th St. SW. Male reporting that his computer was stolen from his vehicle while parked at the mall. $1,750 loss.
Nov. 28: Theft. 17500 block Hwy. 99. Male reporting vehicle prowl. Interlock device stolen.
Nov. 26: Theft. 19400 block Hwy. 99. 2010 Chevrolet and 1990 Dodge reported prowled. Only groceries were stolen.
Nov. 22: Found Property. 3100 block 196th St. SW. Found empty safe in the bushes.
Nov. 22: Vehicle Prowl/Theft. 24000 block 28th Pl. W. 33 year old male from Brier reports unknown person(s) entered his 1994 Honda Accord and removed a IPhone valued at approximately $350. The suspect(s) also entered a 1999 Nissan Altima and removed some reading glasses valued at approximately $30. Both vehicles entered through unlocked doors.
Nov. 22: Fraud. 23700 block 34th Ave. W. 52 year old female from Brier reports she was sent a check by a family member from out of state which she never received. They later noticed unknown person(s) had fraudulently taken approximately $7,000 from the account the check was drawn on. It is suspected the initial check was stolen from her mailbox and suspect(s) used it to make new checks to make purchases. Pending investigation.
Nov. 21: Malicious Mischief. 23600 block Brier Rd. 42 year old female from Mountlake Terrace reports unknown person(s) cut the security camera wires to her business in Brier. Pending investigation.
Nov. 21: Residential Burglary. 22100 block 34th Ave. W. 54 year old male from Brier reports unknown person(s) entered his unlocked residence and removed a laptop valued at approximately $800.
Nov. 21: Assault. 22200 block Brier Road. 13 year old male from Mountlake Terrace reports while walking home from school a fellow 13 year old student and an unknown male attacked him and punched and kicked him in the face, head and body causing injury. Pending investigation.
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
Nov. 27: Malicious mischief. 23200 block 56th Ave. W. A business owner reported a window at his establishment was damaged. It appeared a BB or a pellet hit the window. The cost to repair was estimated at $1,000.
Nov. 26: Theft from auto. 4200 block 236th St. SW. An apartment tenant said someone entered his truck and stole his Winchester shotgun while parked in the complex. The gun was buried behind the seat.
Nov. 26: Suspicious circumstances. 4200 block 236th St. SW. An apartment dweller said an unknown man knocked on her door claiming to be a Mountlake Terrace police officer. When she looked out the peephole, it was covered. No police officers were at her location at the time of her call.
EDMONDS
Nov. 27: Burglary. 800 block Casper St. The office door at a church was pried open along with the file cabinets in the office. Nothing was taken.
Nov. 26: Disordorly. 21900 block Hwy 99. An intoxicated person yelled at customers at a local business and then proceeded to trespass.
Nov. 26: Vehicle Recovery. 24100 block Hwy 99. Several people shoplifted from a local business. They were stopped in what was reported as a stolen vehicle. The driver was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of heroin.
Nov. 25: Forgery. 23700 block 99th Ave. W. Two people attempted to cash stolen checks.
Nov. 25: Theft Auto. 23700 block Hwy 99. A reported stolen vehicle was recovered with the suspect in the vehicle.
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