Friday, November 26, 1999
Shoppers advised to remain on alert
Holiday season also crime season
BY SARA J. BENNETT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The holiday shopping rush has started, and police are ready.
They are looking for shoplifters, purse snatchers and gift stealers. The holiday increase in traffic also brings an increase in fender benders. So, police are asking shoppers do their part to keep from becoming victims.
“Shop defensively just as you drive defensively,” said Colerain Township Police Chief Ed Phillips, “Be aware of people around you ... don't leave things in full view in your cars that would entice people to steal ... and you'll be in pretty good shape.”
The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are prime time for crime and other mishaps.
“This is our very, very busy part of the year,” said Springdale Police Chief Mike Laage. “You're just squeezing a hell of a lot of people into one place.”
To handle the increased traffic — on the roads and in shopping centers — Springdale has officers working more than 300 hours on holiday patrols. Overtime pay alone could cost as much as $12,000, but Chief Laage said it's worth it considering the revenue that retail stores bring to Springdale.
In addition to uniformed foot and car patrols, several officers will work in plain clothes.
“We want people to believe that if you're walking in the mall, the person walking next to you carrying a shopping bag may not be a shopper,” Chief Laage said. “They may be a police officer watching out for your benefit, and if you're going to steal, they'll be watching you steal.”
Police in Colerain will keep an eye on the entire Northgate Mall area and Colerain Avenue corridor, Chief Phillips said. Hamilton County sheriffs deputies will help patrol several areas, including Northgate, Beechmont Mall in Anderson, Kenwood Towne Centre, and Sycamore Plaza shopping center.
In Florence, police will have extra patrols on Mall Road and Houston Road, said Florence Police Lt. Tim Chesser.
He expects to see the usual seasonal jump in theft.
“It's so lucrative for some people because the stuff is new, it's right in plain view, and people have other things on their minds, so they're often not thinking about taking the proper precautions,” he said.
Police recommend shoppers use common sense to avoid falling victim to thieves. They also urge shoppers to keep cool getting to and from shopping centers.
“We guarantee that traffic will be horrendous,” Chief Phillips said. “This is a good time to remember the Christmas spirit and avoid the road-rage syndrome.”
Holiday warning: Beware mall music
Shoppers advised to remain on alert
Safe shopping tips
Go online to shop out-of-town
Rudd Farm lights up one last time
Grand homes dress in wreaths and bows
Cards with a cause
Christmas festival has Welsh flavor
CINCINNATI.COM HOLIDAY GUIDE
Cop charged in jogger's death
'Ramping' blamed for fatal crash
Two children killed on Ky. 17
Airport garages tracking license plates
Holiday workers make the best of it
'Pretty slow' day for crime
Stealth politics waged on Internet
GET TO IT
13 (children) turned out lucky
City parks want some 'Friends'
Colerain awaits buyout verdict
Eastgate Bigg's recalled turkeys
Guadalupe festival is outreach to Hispanics
Officer charged in bar scuffle
Sidewalks have lots of support
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren picks Franklin for sewer link
