Media

Sheriff’s Deputies To Provide Additional Security During Holiday Shopping Season

Release Date: November 18, 2004

Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies are stepping up their efforts to help ensure the safety of shoppers during the holiday season.

“We’re now in the busiest times of the year for holiday shopping. Our Deputies will be out in force throughout Shelby County. We know that gift-buying also generates a rise in criminal activity. As a result, we will be using every resource possible to ensure people have a safe and happy holiday season,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

During the next few weeks, full-time and reserve Deputies will be patrolling the areas near the large retail malls and shopping centers. On some days, Sheriff’s Deputies will be working with other law enforcement agencies to monitor activity near shopping districts.

The Sheriff’s Office Patrol and Crime Prevention Bureaus offer these tips to help ensure a safe holiday season:

• Leave purses at home or place them in the trunk of your vehicle before you leave.
• Be aware of your surroundings while walking to and from your vehicle Avoid shopping alone.
• Park your vehicle in well lit areas.
• Do not count money while standing at an ATM machine or show lots of cash in the check-out line.
• Remove cell phones, lap top computers, briefcases and other items inside your vehicle.
• Secure packages in the trunk or other part of the vehicle where they cannot be seen.
• If a robber wants your wallet or purse, hand it over to prevent possible injury
• Should you be involved in minor vehicle crash, do not exit the vehicle until a Deputy arrives to prevent a “bump and rob” scheme.

Deputies in the Patrol, Crime Prevention and Reserve Divisions will be available for interviews throughout the holiday season. For information, contact Steve Shular at (901) 545-5532.

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