HOLIDAY SHOPPING – The Three S’s

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:

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/police-ramping-up-patrols-during-holiday-shopping-season-how-keep-your-purchases-safe/NFLYHFXGVRFJRPALFRXSRIP7TQ/

  

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:

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/dude-wheres-my-catalytic-converter-probably-back-in-the-supply-chain/

 

South Snohomish County Crime Watch:

https://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/2021/07/catalytic-converters-how-to-prevent-big.html