The holiday shopping season leads to more purchases, and more potential Grinches trying to steal your purchases 鈥� and that has D.C. police planning to hit the streets in a very visible way.
鈥淵ou can really feel the holiday spirit throughout D.C.,鈥� said Police Chief Robert Contee, standing outside a locally owned store in Southeast D.C.鈥檚 Barracks Row. To make sure the mood stays festive, he said, 鈥淭his holiday season we鈥檙e deploying over 100 MPD cadets and recruit officers to increase our presence throughout our city.”
They鈥檒l be out and about in the busiest commercial corridors of the city to educate and encourage people on ways to avoid becoming a victim.
鈥淭hey will be highly visible,鈥� said Contee. 鈥淭heir main focus is to interact with community, focusing on sharing safety tips and making sure you have a safe and enjoyable time during this holiday season.鈥�
Contee said the city鈥檚 number-one crime issue involves thefts from vehicles. He reminded people to never leave packages out in their cars where a would-be thief could see something valuable in there.
鈥淚t is a crime of opportunity,鈥� Contee said. 鈥淎lways take these items with you and secure them inside of the glove compartment or trunk. If you鈥檙e parking for a short period of time, never, never leave your car running or your vehicle unlocked.鈥�
He pleaded with anyone who might see a crime happening to call 911, but to also take all the steps to avoid being victimized.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e out shopping, make sure you don鈥檛 overburden yourself with packages and bags,鈥� the chief said. 鈥淲e oftentimes see people carrying a rack of bags and everything is all over the place and not really paying attention, and you could make yourself susceptible to being pick-pocketed.鈥�
