‘Tis the season to go shopping, but authorities warn of opportunistic criminals with shopping lists of their own.
“The best thing [people] can do is to be aware of their surroundings,” said Aaron Gallagher, security director of Southland Mall in Hayward.
“Look for a place to park in a well-lit area, preferably as close to the entrance and egress as possible. Before you even get out of your car, look around, and if there is some issue that you’re uncomfortable with, don’t get out of your car.”
A little common sense and vigilance are small prices to pay for not being a victim during the holiday season.
Several shoppers at Southland Mall were quite savvy about taking precautions.
“We condense our purchases as much as possible,” said Lorenzo Hashan. “We put bags in bags so it don’t look like we’ve bought very much.
“We pay attention to who’s where, and we watch out for each other,” he added, as he took his wife’s hand.
One woman took a practical approach.
“The only jewelry I wear is a cheap watch,” said Jessica, a shopper, “and I keep my credit card and only a little cash in a little change purse in my front pocket or inside my bra.”
A young woman with a large purse flung over her shoulder said she hadn’t really thought about altering her usual habits while holiday shopping.
“Good Lord! I suppose if someone wanted to,” said Maria Gonzales, “they could just grab this thing with my life, and the things I’ve bought in it, and be out of sight before I could raise a fuss.
“Especially with the crowd in here; it’d be so easy to disappear,” she said.
“Don’t wait until you’re in the mall to take precautions,” Gallagher said.
Southland Mall security subscribes to a system known as “Take. Lock. Hide.”
“Essentially what that means is to take your valuables with you, your purse, your cell phone, or your wallet,” said Gallagher. “To lock your car, and for other high value items that you can’t carry with you, you hide them. You place them in your trunk, or you place them in your backseat underneath something else.
“So that if a person walking by…national statistics would indicate that about 50 percent of all [car] burglaries are committed because the victim in the case has left some sort of target item. When I say ‘target items,’ I’m saying cell phones, laptops, purses, wallets, and navigation systems,” he added.
It has recently proven insufficient to simply remove the navigation system from sight, according Gallagher. A more sophisticated generation of thieves has learned to look for the ring that a suction cup left on the windshield, or the mat on the dashboard that indicated a navigation system may well have been secured elsewhere in the vehicle.
“They figure there’s one in the car somewhere. Either one of those two things–if a person keeps their windows clean, that ring isn’t going to be there, or if they don’t leave their mat out, your chances are better,” Gallagher said.
Police websites from across the nation posted many more suggestions to protect the public from crimes of convenience.
Memphis police advise if someone has ordered items online or by mail-order, have the package delivered to a work address, or ask a trusted neighbor to accept deliveries. Atlanta police reminded citizens that they should not plug in outside lighting through a window in such a way as to preclude locking the window.
Almost all such publications warned against displaying a tree in the window, and suggested that a radio or television be left on if people are going out for the evening or leaving town. Install inexpensive timers to turn on indoor lights to give the impression of occupancy.
Bakersfield police pointed out that burglars have known for years about that spare key hidden under the planter or over the door. If necessary, entrust a friend or neighbor with a spare key.
A family’s absence should never be announced on its answering machine. “Hi. Sorry we missed your call, but we’ve gone skiing for the weekend,” is simply not a good idea.
While most police websites reminded women to keep their purse held securely next to the body, San Diego Police urged women to forgo carrying a purse altogether. Men and women, they counsel, should carry identification, the credit or debit card intended for use, and any cash (minimal amount) in a front pocket. Money orders work as well as cash, but can be replaced if stolen.
“If you are attacked, scream,” said Hayward police Lt. Sheryl Boykins wrote in an e-mail, “as loudly and as long as possible, and if possible, run to the nearest well-lit area.
“If someone grabs your purse, deposit bag, or other property, do not resist and do not chase the thief. Call the police immediately and try to recall the mannerisms of the attacker,” she continued.
“Lock your doors and roll up your windows before driving into or out of the parking lot,” Boykins wrote, “and leave the lot as soon as you are safely in your vehicle; do not sit and make phone calls or review your purchases.”
An unidentified off-duty police officer suggested that shoppers should move their vehicle if they’ve brought out a load of packages but intend return to the mall.
“It’s better to let parking lot loiterers believe you’ve left with your goods,” he said.
Unfortunately, the lessons were learned too late for some.
“I try to always shop with one of my girlfriends, especially since it gets dark so early now,” said Jocelyn Kelly, a shopper at Southland Mall. “I had all my gifts stolen from my car a few years ago, and I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.”
“Did you know you could call to find out if a shopping center can provide an escort to your car? Well, you can, and you’d be surprised how many will. You can avoid being a victim by staying alert,” Kelly said.
