SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Thieves Shop for Targets in Malls

Thieves Shop for Targets in Malls
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Staff writer for SafetyIssues on 11/22/10 04:55:00
 
Shoppers should be aware that 80 percent of all crimes related to shopping occur
in the parking lot. Shoppers are more vulnerable to a thief’s machinations in
the parking lot than when they are inside the mall. A split second is all a
thief needs to make any shopper a victim.
One e-mail message going around reveals a possible ploy thieves can use. A
shopper may be too focused on getting inside the car and unloading all the
packages. Then the shopper starts the car engine and shifts into reverse to back
out of the parking space. That is when he/she may notice a piece of paper or
something blocking the view in the middle of the rear window.
The shopper shifts into park and gets out of the car to remove the obstruction
from the rear window. The moment the shopper reaches the back of the car is also
the moment the thieves pounce: they get into the car and speed off — with
everything in it, quite possibly including the shopper’s purse, home address,
keys, identification, credit cards and all other important information.
Safety Tips: Here are some suggestions to enjoy a safe shopping during the
holidays.
* Avoid being overloaded or bogged down with too many things to carry. If you
appear like an easy target, you will certainly attract a criminal’s attention.
Stay alert and make sure you have clear visibility all the time.
* Park as close as possible to the store entrance, and under/near lights.
* Avoid parking beside or near cars longer or larger than your vehicle.
* Check the rear window and other parts of the car as you approach. Remove any
possible obstruction before starting the car engine.
* Avoid parking close to a tree line or other possible hiding places.
* Once inside your car, the first thing to do is lock the doors.