“Probably the most important thing is don’t leave those valuables in plain view, put them in the trunk if you can,” he said. “But do it in a low key way. There’s ways of doing it in sort of a covert way.”
Township crime statistics show that in one week’s time recently there were five thefts from cars and an actual car theft.
Newman said shoppers should also make frequent trips to their cars to stow their purchases, so their arms are free. He says always park in a well lit place and be aware of your surroundings. If possible he said take a shopping buddy with you or at least tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
Always make sure purses are closed and wallets are in a front pocket, and don’t flash cash, experts said.
Cell phones also need to be fully charged and with the shopper. Lt. Morgan Dallman, head of the Butler County sheriff’s Liberty Twp. post added, and don’t be afraid to use them.
“Don’t ever hesitate to call 911, that’s what we’re here for,” Dallman said. “If someone sees something suspicious, whether it’s against them or potentially somebody else or a business, they can call us and we can come out. We’d rather them call us and it be nothing that not call us and it turn out to be something.”
The sheriff's office used to have a deputy at stationed at Liberty Center but earlier this year the mega mall and mixed-use development management decided to end that contract. There is mall security but Dallman said they don't carry weapons and are civilians.
Newman said during the holiday shopping season they step up patrols.
“We always increase our patrols around the business areas. Two years ago we were on foot and the bikes, I could tell a lot of businesses in the VOA area liked it, they liked seeing us walking through Kohls and Target,” he said.
For online shoppers Dallman said always use a credit card rather than a debit card, only shop at reputable companies and if you purchase or sell something that requires a face-to-face exchange, always do that in a public place.
“The sheriff’s office offers the lobby of their downtown office,” he said. “People can come in and exchange their property there because it’s a safe environment.”
Newman said taking precautions is always prudent, but he wouldn’t characterize holiday shopping crimes as rampant in this area.
“I don’t remember it ever being a major issue where we were like ‘oh my gosh this is just a major uptick’,” Newman said. “I think across the board there is a slight increase, just because unfortunately the opportunity is there.”
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