www.conwaypd.org | Conway Police Department

CONWAY, AR-The holiday season is here and crowded shopping areas will be targeted by criminals looking for an opportunity to steal those gifts, purses and wallets. Once again the Conway Police Department will beef up security around our local shopping areas beginning Black Friday and running through the Christmas Holidays.

At the recent Conway City Council meeting, aldermen approved funding for the annual “Shop Secure” program which provides added patrol units to our local shopping areas. The Council approved $22,000 in additional overtime which will fund up to six officers at a time to patrol primarily the heaviest shopping centers during the holiday season. These officers will be on foot, on bicycles and in patrol units. In addition to the visible patrol officers, we will also occasionally utilize some of the unmarked and plain-clothes units.

While working Shop Secure 2009, police officers will be focusing on preventative patrol in an effort to help shoppers and businesses feel safer during the busiest time of the year. Officers on this special security detail will not be dispatched to regular calls unless it’s a life or death situation or a matter of urgency.

“On behalf of the business community, we are thrilled that the Mayor and city council made this a priority. Conway is a retail destination. We have the responsibility to make holiday shopping safe. Our businesses and their customers see the difference,” said Brad Lacy, President of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.

Don’t leave valuables in plain and open view. Leave them at home or lock them in your trunk. Temporarily disable the trunk access button if your vehicle has one.
Always lock your vehicle, even if you are stepping away for a few minutes. It only takes mere seconds for a criminal to open your car door, pilfer through your belongings and walk away without anyone noticing him. Don’t make it easy by leaving your vehicle unlocked.
Crowded areas are primed with “pick-pockets”. Be mindful of people bumping you. Also, be cautious of those attempting to blatantly divert your attention. It could be a ploy for someone else to take your wallet out of a pocket or purse while your attention is elsewhere.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PURSE IN A SHOPPING CART. It’s better to hang it on your shoulder or better yet, use a fanny pack. If you must carry your purse in a shopping cart, close it tight, zip it up and use the child seat belt to snap it in. Don’t get wrapped up in shopping and walk away from your cart. If you leave your purse open or unzipped, you make your wallet easily accessible and you won’t know it’s missing until you get to the register. By that time, it’s too late.
Don’t flash large amounts of cash. Don’t make yourself a target for theft once your leave the store.
Park in well lit parking lots and as close to the shopping entrance as possible. Sometimes it is not possible to park close when shopping during high traffic times, so you might have to drive around until you find a suitable parking space.
When approaching your vehicle, keep at least one finger on your car’s keyless entry buttons if you have one. If someone makes you uncomfortable, you will easily draw attention by hitting the alarm/panic button. It’s better to apologize to the passerby’s for hitting the “wrong button” than to be a victim of a crime. Try not to carry packages in your strong hand. Let your strong hand maneuver the keyless entry.
If you see anything suspicious, alert store personnel, security or police.
Take a quick look inside your vehicle before entering. After entering LOCK YOUR DOORS!
Keep your cell phone easily accessible should you need to call 911. Be prepared to give as much description of perpetrator details as possible. Officers will need to know things such as physical and clothing descriptions, direction of travel and a description of vehicles involved. Be prepared to describe the color, type or model, and most importantly try to get a license plate if possible.