MALL & SHOPPING SAFETY

Take a few precautions when you shop and you'll be "taking a bite out of crime".

Personal Safety at Malls

The threat of physical assault does not necessarily increase along with the crowds, especially during holiday periods. It's when you're far from the crowd, in distant reaches of parking lots or other isolated areas of the mall that you are most vulnerable.

To protect better yourself: Be Alert & Be Aware!

Always try to walk to and from your vehicle with another person. If you are shopping alone, consider walking near other shoppers in the parking lot.

If shopping alone and leaving at night -- particularly if you're carrying several bundles -- ask a security officer to accompany you to your car. Most malls will provide that service.
Inside a mall, avoid darkened hallways and other backroom areas, especially near closing time.

Avoid using bathrooms that are tucked away in a back area of a mall concourse or department. If you can, find a bathroom near the mall's food court or other well-trafficked area. And always accompany your child to the bathroom.

Never use a video arcade or toy store as a baby sitter; predators are on the prowl for unattended children. More then 100,000 children are abducted every year -- often in malls or department stores, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCME).

Find out whether the malls and stores you frequent have procedures to search for a missing child. Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Target are among retailers participating in a program developed by the NCME. The program, called "Code Adam," was named after Adam Walsh, a 6-year-old Florida boy who was killed after being abducted from a shopping mall in 1981. As soon as a child is reported missing, employees scour the aisles. If the child doesn't turn up after 10 minutes, the police are notified.

Pickpockets & Purse Theft Preventions

In crowded malls - Try these tips:

A man should carry his wallet in the front pocket of his pants, rather than in a back pocket or in his jacket. A woman should hold her purse close to her body, with the opening facing toward her; when walking with another person, the purse should be held between the two.

Consolidate purchases into one or two large shopping bags so you can keep track of everything. Never leave your purchases unattended, even for a few minutes.

Consider using a special fanny pack designed to foil pickpockets.

Parking Lot/Car Safety

As parking areas fill during the holiday season, shoppers are often forced to park far from mall exits, sometimes in poorly lighted areas. Now that there is less daylight, you're likely to find yourself entering the mall while the sun is up and leaving after dark, so make sure there are lights nearby before parking.

Other parking tips:

Park as close to entrances and exits as you can. No one wants to circle the lot for an hour waiting for a good spot to open up, but give it a shot, at least for a few minutes. Please patient looking for a parking space. Always seek a spot that's well-lighted or near a well-traveled roadway.

Stow your purchases in the trunk. When you're weighed down with packages, you may be tempted to throw them in the back seat and return to the mall to continue shopping.

If your purchases are in plain view, you may return to find your car windows smashed and your presents stolen. Save your most expensive purchases for last, so you can head straight home.

Have your keys ready when you approach your vehicle. Before entering, check that no one is hiding in the back seat.

ATM Safety

To protect yourself, handle your bank card with the same prudence you would cash or credit cards and keep it in a safe place. Memorize your PIN code so you won't have to write it on your card or a piece of paper, and carry it in your purse or wallet. And keep your PIN to yourself -- if others are nearby waiting to use the ATM, don't let them see which buttons you press.

More ATM advice:

Choose a bank with an ATM located in a highly visible, well-lighted area.

If you must withdraw money from an ATM after dark, have someone accompany you. Also, try not to make large cash withdrawals.

If you see anyone loitering near the machine who looks or acts suspicious, walk away.

Minimize time spent at the ATM by having your card in your hand and resisting the temptation to count the money after it has been dispensed.

While using an ATM, look around from time to time and be aware of what's going on around you. If anything suspicious happens, immediately cancel your transaction and leave.

Please be aware of your surroundings - be a alert and safe!