“But don’t become so preoccupied with the thrill and excitement of shopping and holiday festivities that you lose your sense of good judgment when it comes to your personal safety,” warns Sheriff Jones. “Remember that this is also a time when criminals work overtime to take advantage of innocent, law-abiding people. They prey upon larger crowds and extended store hours. This, combined with all the distractions related to shopping, creates the perfect setting for petty thieves and criminal types.”

Sheriff Jones strongly advises shoppers to think “safety first” before they embark on this year’s shopping across the country, he is warning Natchitoches Parish residents to keep their guard up to avoid becoming one of the millions of people victimized by crime each year.

And how do we go about protecting ourselves during this holiday shopping season? Sheriff Jones advises busy shoppers that they can take some safety precautions to reduce their chances of being victimized by the likes of those criminals who thrive on shoppers at this time of the year. Holiday shopping precautions include:

Always try to shop with another person. A single shopper is the ultimate target for theft.

When going shopping, make sure you tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return home.

Plan ahead. If you know you are going to return to your car after nightfall, park in a well-lit area. Note your parking place. Parking lots have a tendency to look very different as cars come and go.

If you are in a store and sense that you are being followed locate a store employee or security personnel. Be prepared to give them a complete description of the person you suspect.

If carrying cash, keep it in a front pocket. This makes it more difficult for a pick-pocket to remove.

Store car keys in a pants or jacket pocket. If you purse is stolen, you will still be able to drive home.

Take only one or two credit cards and a couple of checks with you.

Make a list of all credit card numbers and the number to call in case they are lost or stolen. This will make the incident a lot easier to report.

If you feel uneasy returning to your car alone, find a security guard and ask him to walk you to your car.

When returning to your car, check around it and in the back seat.

Have your car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle.

Sheriff Jones concluded, “Remember, a few simple safety precautions can reduce or eliminate your potential for becoming a victim of holiday crime. From all of us at the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, have a safe and joyous holiday season.