In the rush of the holiday season, shoppers can easily fall victim to thieves who target their wallets and purses, the gifts they’ve just bought or even their cars, police warn.
“With the holiday season upon us, incidents of theft and robbery tend to increase,” said Bristol police Capt. Edward Spyros, who is urging shoppers, retail workers and residents to take a few precautions this month.
As with most communities that have a big retail center, Bristol typically sees a spike in thefts as shopping center parking lots fill with people buying gifts. In some years, police have deployed a special anti-robbery squad between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
So far, there has been no sharp increase this season, Lt. Richard Guerrera said. Police are still directing patrol officers to spend more time than usual observing retail plazas, ATMs, convenience stories and gas stations. They’re mostly working along the Route 6 commercial corridor, but also patrolling smaller, more remote shops.
A lot of thefts can be prevented simply by shoppers staying alert, police said.
“We’re asking residents or people who are coming into town for shopping to be vigilant,” Guerrera said.
Spyros urges shoppers to stay alert to their surroundings, especially when walking to or from their cars; park in well-lit areas; keep cash and credit cards out of sight; and avoid leaving valuables in shopping carts or vehicles.
“If you’re in the store shopping, we want to make sure your pocketbook, your valuables are on you and not laying in the carriage where somebody can come by and grab them,” Guerrera said.
“We’re asking people to be very aware of their surroundings — don’t let yourself be an easy victim,” he said. “If you’re walking back to your car and somebody may be hanging out that you’re concerned about, maybe turn around and go back into the store. Tell a manager, call us.”
Last year, Bristol was one of several central Connecticut communities that had a rash of thefts of packages that had been delivered to homes. That type of theft is more isolated this year, but Guerrera still advised residents to do everything possible to prevent them.
When it’s not possible to be home to get a delivery, residents should consider having their packages sent to a neighbor or relative’s address instead, Guerrera said. Another option is to have them sent to a workplace.
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