Albuquerque police officers will be using helicopters, aerial platforms, horses, night vision goggles, and bait vehicles filled with gifts to catch thieves who prey on holiday shoppers.
Albuquerque police officers will be using helicopters, aerial platforms, horses, night vision goggles, and bait vehicles filled with gifts to catch thieves who prey on holiday shoppers.
Mayor Richard J. Berry and Police Chief Raymond D. Schultz announced on Tuesday an all-out assault on thieves this holiday season. Starting on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Albuquerque police officers will be working overtime to catch thieves in the act. The officers will work through Christmas.
“The Albuquerque Police Department will be out in full force to ensure Christmas presents make it home to their rightful owners,” Mayor Berry said. “Thieves need to know that if they plan on breaking into a vehicle at one of our shopping centers, there is a good chance it belongs to the Albuquerque police department.”
This holiday season Albuquerque police officers will be:
- Placing Christmas presents in police-owned vehicles in order to catch thieves in the act.
- Watching parking lots at night with night vision goggles.
- Patrolling the outside of malls with horses.
- Acting as vulnerable shoppers in at attempt to bait thieves.
- Using an Arial platform to watch parking lots from three stories high.
- Patrolling shopping areas with a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft.
In January, Mayor Berry launched a 15-point property crime initiative aimed at targeting thieves. Since the initiative, property crime in Albuquerque has dropped about 20 percent.
“We have made a lot of progress with property crime this year,” Chief Schultz said. “We are not going to let up for the holidays. We will be working just as hard if not harder.”
SHOPPING TIPS
- Always be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts
- Give some thought to what is considered “normal behavior” in a given environment. (Ex. People do not typically stand around in parking lots.) If you notice a suspicious person or activity in a parking lot, return to the store, ask for an escort and/or notify security or store personnel.
- Always be aware of other people around you and make note of their behavior
- Walk with authority, purpose and awareness
- Park your vehicle as close to an entrance as possible or park in well lit, active locations
- Lock all personal items in the trunk or away from view – roll up windows, take the keys and lock the doors
- Keep all items inside your vehicle away from view. Any thing in full view could potentially be a target of opportunity.
- Have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle and limit the number of items in your hands
- Get in you vehicle as soon as possible, lock the doors immediately and then get settled. (Note: Continue to be aware of persons in your area and keep your doors locked until you reach your next destination.)
- Remove all visible targets that might make you a victim of a crime - WOMEN SHOULD NEVER CARRY A PURSE IN PUBLIC. Rather, carry only those items necessary for a particular trip. (Ex. Drivers license, medical card, some form of payment, like a debit card and a little bit of money.) Carry these items concealed from view.
- If you choose to carry a defensive device like pepper spray – have proper training.
SECURING YOUR RESIDENCE PRIOR TO HOLIDAY TRAVEL
- Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your residence and report suspicious activity.
- If possible, have a trusted friend or family member stay at your home.
- Install automatic timers on lights, televisions and radios
- Do not have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. This information could fall into the wrong hands. Ask the trusted neighbor to collect them each day.
- If you have a rollout trash dumpster, have a neighbor place it in the street on pick up day and return it that evening.
- Ask a neighbor to park a vehicle in the driveway when ever possible
- Be extra cautious about locking all doors and windows. All primary window locks should be operational and secondary locks should be installed.
- Make sure trees and shrubs are trimmed to allow for adequate visibility of your home
- Make arrangements to have exterior lights on each night.
- Each entrance should have solid core or metal doors and deadbolt locks.
- Let neighbors, family and friends know when you plan to return from a trip.
