Shopping Safety
There is safety in numbers. Shop with friends and family when
possible.
Stay alert of your surroundings. Walk with confidence, head-up
and make eye contact with people.
Park and walk in well-lit, well-traveled areas. Don’t take
shortcuts or use delivery corridors at malls.
Carry small amounts of cash, and only credit cards you intend to
use.
If
carrying a purse hold it firm and on the inside of your body, not
dangling by the strap(s) this helps prevent purse snatching. Keep
your purse fasten to prevent pick pocketing.
Put
wallets in front coat pockets or in a front pants pocket.
Never leave valuables unattended. This means if shopping don’t
leave your purse in the cart where it can be easily grabbed, or
when going from shopping destination to destination keep your
goodies out of sight by storing them in the trunk. This also
applies to cell phones, briefcases, portable CD players etc. Out
of sight out of mind.
Don’t over burden yourself with packages, and gifts have your keys
in hand when approaching your vehicle. Immediately lock vehicle
doors once you enter.
Stay alert for any persons lingering outside a store, mall
entrance and/or in the parking area. Contact a store employee,
security, or law enforcement of suspicious activity.
If
you are shopping with the kids, teach them to go immediately to a
store clerk or security personnel if you become separated.
Children should never be left in a vehicle alone or allowed to
roam freely at shopping centers. Young children should be
supervised at all times and taught not to trust strangers.
If
you take packages to your car and plan to return in to the
mall/store, it is recommended that you drive your vehicle to
another parking location. Criminals watch for such activity from
shoppers.
Know that your
property is not worth risking your life. If a robber approaches,
cooperate this lowers the potential for injury.
Call,
Pitt County Sheriff’s Office
Crime Prevention
Unit
252-902-2727
for additional
information.
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