The arrival of Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday shopping and celebration season.
The Virginia Beach Police Department will have extra officers on patrol around the malls and shopping centers as well as on the roadways through the city.
As we are rapidly approaching Black Friday, police would like to remind you of a few things you can do to make your holiday a safe and memorable one.
“Remember: Criminals love holidays and shopping too… They especially love unlocked car doors,” police said.
Larceny from vehicles ranks high in the number of crime reports in our city, according to police.
The majority of those offenses are preventable because they are often the result of unlocked car doors or owners leaving highly desirable valuables in easy view.
The most commonly reported stolen items from cars that the VBPD has recorded include loose change, laptops, iPads, cellphones, purses/wallets and firearms.
They warn that shopping bags are especially inviting to a thief during this time of year because the item being taken is new.
Here are some crime prevention tips from Virginia Beach Police:
- Close your windows and lock your doors.
- Place packages and valuables out of sight (the trunk).
- Never leave keys in the ignition, cup holder, glove box etc.
- Shop during daylight hours when possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member and park in a well-lighted area.
- Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.
- Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked.
- Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.
- Avoid flashing large amounts of cash. Keep cash in your front pocket
- Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con-artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
