As the Thanksgiving weekend begins, the Lexington Police Department would like to provide some tips to help keep people safe, whether they are shopping, traveling, or just out enjoying the weekend.
Thieves use this time of year to look for opportunities to steal valuables, personal items, and more. The best way to stop these crimes from happening is to prevent them from even happening.
Here are some tips for holiday shoppers:
- Lock your vehicle.
- Don't leave valuables in your vehicle, especially in plain view.
- Don’t leave your car running unattended.
- Keep an eye on your personal items while shopping, particularly in shopping carts.
- Store shopping bags out of plain sight.
- Be aware of your surroundings and don’t become distracted.
- Park in a well-lit area.
It can be easy to forget and leave something behind, but thieve target vehicles where bags, wallets, cell phones, shopping bags, and presents are easily seen. They will even go around checking car door handles to see if they are unlocked.
Tips for online shoppers:
- Stick to retailers you know and trust.
- Research a business you haven't purchased from before by checking customer reviews or complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Tips for drivers:
- Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs!
- Buckle up and wear your seatbelt.
- Expect heavier traffic around shopping areas.
- Obey all traffic signs and signals and don't block intersections.
- Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
Stay alert and maintain a safe driving distance from others.
