PASADENA — Pasadena police continue focusing extra-attention this weekend on suppressing holiday-related crime, a lieutenant said.
As the holidays approach, opportunistic thieves are eager to take advantage of increased shopping and travel, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said.
To curb that trend, ten police officers were assigned Saturday to focus on “holiday crime suppression” when not responding to high-priority calls for service.
Russ said the practice will likely continue sporadically through the holiday season as the volume of calls for service allows.
The officers are handing out pamphlets and talking to residents about crime prevention tips, he said, “as well as conducting extra enforcement efforts in neighborhoods to lower the incidents of victimization by opportunists committing thefts during the holiday season.”
Pasadena police are also placing officers and volunteers in major shopping centers in the city during weekends to hand out fliers and answer questions, officials said.
Russ reminded the public of some common-sense tips to help avoid becoming a victim of a lawbreaking grinch, such as having neighbors look after vacant homes, requesting that packages be signed for so they can’t be stolen from doorsteps.
While out doing holiday shopping, Russ added, it’s important to never leave items in plain sight in a car.
“Over 50 percent of the burglaries that occur to vehicles are because the stuff is visible.
Police also advised not leaving boxes from recent purchases outdoors next to trash cans, as this can advertise to criminals what purchases were recently made.
Perhaps the best defense, Russ said, is to to develop relationships with neighbors, be alert for anything suspicious and never hesitate to call the police.