Lynn Police offer safety tips to holiday shoppers

LYNN – The Lynn Police Department has issued a list of safety tips for local shoppers this holiday season.When shopping, take the time to notice the people around you. Make observations of people, by studying their body language. If a situation or person causes you to feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and simply walk away. Often, a thief will approach and attempt to take advantage of a person’s good nature. The thief may ask for directions, the right time of day, if you can make change, or they may pretend to know you. These tactics may cause potential witnesses to dismiss the encounter. The suspect who approaches could be a male or female, or may be acting with someone else. One may cause a distraction, while the other bumps into you and steals your wallet, or grabs your pocketbook from your shopping carriage.In most of these cases, the suspect is being driven by the need to feed a drug addiction. Such individuals may exhibit characteristics as nervousness, talking fast, being jittery, sweating or mumbling when speaking. If approached by someone who makes you feel uncomfortable, direct them to seek assistance in the business you just left or you are going to. Speak loudly, so other people take notice of you. If someone pretends to know you, insist that you do not know the person. If you look like you will be a difficult target, the suspicious person will often move on.If someone becomes physical and grabs your purse or wallet, he/she will use whatever force necessary to take the item from you. The person is not thinking about criminal penalties or the serious injuries that could result. The thief is only focused on the fact that he/she needs money to buy drugs. If you become victimized, do not struggle. Try to compose yourself, and become the best possible witness you can. If possible, look the suspect directly in the face, and take mental notes of a physical description such as: facial features, hair, build and clothing. Try to determine if a vehicle or someone else is involved. Most importantly, call the police immediately because time is of the essence.There are some preventable steps one can take in order to become a less attractive target. This may include, parking your vehicle near the front of a store, or under a parking lot light at night. Prior to exiting or entering your vehicle, always look to see who is around you. Immediately lock car doors, and secure packages out of sight.When going out, leave extra items at home. Take only the money, credit cards, and checkbook that you need. Keep these items in a small pocketbook or wallet, which can be concealed inside a jacket, or held tightly when exiting your vehicle and shopping. Never leave your pocketbook unattended in a shopping carriage. Just turning your back for a few seconds provides all the opportunity a thief needs.