Brick Twp. Enhances Police Patrols For Holiday Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year. You know the song very well. But did you know the holiday season is a thieves paradise? Brick Township is listening to that message loud and clear and the Police Department is providing extra patrols from now until the day after Christmas.

While many of us are out and about shopping for the holidays, police everywhere are reminding you to be extra careful when going to and from your car. Always lock your door and secure your valuables. Brick Police Captain John Rein tells WOBM News several units have been deployed at various spots around town, including in and around major shopping centers.

Each year, the holiday shopping season is the backdrop for thefts, purse & wallet snatching's and vehicle break-ins. Rein says it boils down to common sense but people get preoccupied. Rein says "many are so concerned about getting all the gifts on their list and all the sales that they come out of safe mode and go on autopilot. This is where trouble can strike and thieves prey on it."

Rein says if you see any suspicious activity, report it at once to their department and don't try and be a hero.

The extra details have been very successful in the past allowing officers to have a number of positive contacts with the people who work, shop and visit the township's plazas and provide an overall safer environment during what's supposed to be a joyous occasions.

The police department has several tips all shoppers in every community should follow:

• Do not carry unnecessary identification, credit cards, or social security cards with you. Keep these at home in a safe place.
• For cards that you must carry with you, record information such as financial institution name and contact information, card number, etc. and keep it at home in a safe place.
• While shopping, do not place your purse or wallet in your cart. Carry it where you have constant control of it or carry just a wallet on your person and leave your purse at home or in your vehicle out view from others.
• When you are in the parking lot, do not place your purse in an open trunk of your car while loading purchases as thieves sometimes monitor parking lots for this type of opportunity.
• Do not leave any valuable items left in plain view in your vehicle.
• Ensure that you lock your vehicle at all times.

• Stay alert to any suspicious people you see in shopping and parking areas. Many victims report that they saw the suspects lurking around them before a purse or wallet was stolen. Sometimes thieves work in pairs and one will distract the victim by engaging in conversation with them while the other steals the wallet or purse.

• Report any suspicious individuals to employees or to the police department immediately.
• If your purse or wallet is stolen, notify the police immediately; do not wait until you get home. Try to obtain a description of the suspect or suspect vehicle.
• Never confront or pursue a suspect, as this could be dangerous.
• As soon as possible after a theft, notify any applicable credit card companies, banks, etc.