Often times in the rush of Christmas shopping, citizens leave their newly purchased gifts in plain view inside their vehicles. For the most part this shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, this may draw unnecessary attention to your vehicle and may be the target of theft by opportunistic criminals. The same can be said for purses, wallets and backpacks in plain view. We make efforts to conduct additional patrols in the retail areas on a regular basis, but there are a few things you can do to minimize this risk.
-Always remember to lock your vehicle doors.
-If shopping at night, park in well-lit areas.
-Use your trunk area if you have one or a cargo cover/screen that many SUVs have in the rear area.
-Consider covering or placing packages on the floor of the vehicle.
-If they are small packages, consider carrying them with you or drop off at your residence.
These few steps may help minimize having to call the police to report a theft from your vehicle. We wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday season!