VIDEO: Columbus PD Teaches Shopper Safety

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- As the weather gets cooler, the shopping gets bigger.

As Black Friday and the Christmas season close in, police want to instruct citizens on how to prevent their personal items from being stolen.

“Criminals know that this is a time when people are shopping,” said Columbus Police Chief Oscar Lewis.

Reports of auto theft, panhandling, and scams are usually on the rise from Thanksgiving through December.

“If you’re going and buying things out of the stores, we want you to, if possible, try to take these items home at your earliest convenience, so you won’t become a victim as well,” Lewis continued.

If you leave valuable items in the car, they may go missing.

There are reports of purses, bags, and other personal items being taken from cars, and there are precautions to prevent these crimes

“Usually, I would advise parking in a well lit area. If you park in a well lit area, close to the front of the store, they’re less likely to be hit as they are in the back part of the parking lot,” said Captain of Criminal Investigation Brent Swan.

Then, of course, there’s panhandling.

Reports of people asking for money in parking lots have officers advising that no one should shop alone.

“If anybody ever approaches you in a parking lot, it’s usually up to no good. Just ignore them if you can. If they won’t let you ignore them, just walk away… Act like you’re talking to a friend across the way. Usually if someone’s with you they will not approach you,” said Captain of CPD Patrol Division Donnie Elkin.

Along with this advice is the bolstering of patrols for this seasonal shopping spree.

With these efforts and tips, perhaps this holiday season will have more smiles and less blues.