While much of holiday shopping is accomplished online now, there may be some gifts that you want to purchase in person at the mall or a local store. Securing your purchases becomes important as you do your shopping.
Parking lots and garages become large areas of
opportunity for car prowlers who become attracted to the many vehicles with products
they can sell for cash or drugs.
The Lynnwood Police Department recommends thinking
about the “three S’s” as you go through a parking lot or garage:
·
Scan
your surroundings. Be aware of what is going on around you. Look for anything
suspicious like someone watching or checking out cars in the lot. Report
suspicious activity to police or local security.
·
Stow your
valuables away discreetly. Place your purchases in your trunk where they
are out of view. Car prowlers look for anything that might be of value that
they can easily see through the windows. And that can be anything, even a duffle
bag that has dirty laundry. Nothing should be showing through the windows in
the passenger cabin, valuable or not. Some police agencies even recommend that
if you take purchases to your car that you move your car to another part of the
parking lot, in case a car prowler has seen you place your valuable item in
your car.
·
Secure your
purchases. Roll up your windows and lock your car. Don’t make it easy for a car
prowler. If your vehicle is locked, most car prowlers will move on to another
target.
Recent reporting from KIRO TV News quoted police sources
as recommending shoppers carry valuable purchases with them. Other suggestions
included asking the store if you could pick up your purchases when you are
finished shopping or asking if they can ship the purchase to your home.
KIRO TV:
Catalytic converters remain an attractive target for car
prowlers with prices for the precious metals that they contain remaining high. For
a good analysis of where your stolen catalytic converter goes after it is taken
from your vehicle check out this article,
The Seattle Times:
South Snohomish County Crime Watch:
https://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/2021/07/catalytic-converters-how-to-prevent-big.html
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