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Friday, June 2, 2023

Holiday Safety Initiative ~ Hide, Lock, Take!

The holiday season is fast approaching and the Southlake Police Department is providing a few simple safety tips to help ensure that you and your family have a safe and happy shopping experience.

It’s no surprise that the Christmas shopping season is one of the peak times for criminal activity, and vehicle break-ins top the list. Police Officers have already responded to several reports of broken vehicle windows and stolen items near shopping areas and parking centers indicating that thieves are once again on the prowl.

As the Southlake Police Department prepares to kick off its Holidays Safety Initiative there are things that you can do to help avoid becoming a victim of crime. Number one – is to never leave valuables inside of your car. Remember to follow the Hide, Lock, Take guidelines. Hide your things, Lock your car and Take your keys.

Shoppers will notice a stepped up police presence at shopping centers throughout the City of Southlake. The Holiday Safety Initiative will also include a combined use of: police motorcycles, patrol officers, bike and foot patrols, Southlake Police Citizens on Patrol (COP’s), who serve us well as extra eyes and ears in watching for potential criminal activity.  In addition, the mobile Sky Watch Tower will be placed in strategic locations throughout the City to discourage criminals.  Police Chief James Brandon says, “Our goal is to provide a safe environment for our citizens and Holiday shoppers and to be as proactive as possible in reducing crime. Shoppers can assist us in our crime reduction efforts by being safety conscious and by following a few basic safety tips like Hide, Lock, Take. This one simple act can be a huge deterrent for thieves.”  A pile of Christmas gifts in colorful wrapping with ribbons.

Moms and dad will be glad to know that as part of our annual Holiday Safety Initiative “The Grinch” will again be making scheduled appearances during the shopping season. (*Watch for those times to be posted on www.facebook.com/SouthlakePublicSafety.) “The Grinch” will be decked out in full costume greeting shoppers at Southlake Town Square and handing out public safety reminders. Not only do kids love getting their picture taken with “The Grinch” but he also serves as a great reminder to “not let a Grinch steal your Christmas!”

Additionally, the Southlake Police Department wants to remind everyone to report any suspicious activity to the Southlake Police Department. You can call the non-emergency number at 817-743-4522 or 911.

Lastly, traffic will be heavy during the holiday season so be prepared by allowing yourself plenty of time to park and remember to drive courteously.  Don’t forget to look for the Hide, Lock, Take signs posted at shopping centers to help serve as a safety reminder and prevent a thief from robbing you of your Holiday spirit. For updates and information follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/SouthlakePublicSafety and Twitter at http://twitter.com/SouthlakeDPS

Holiday Safety Initiative

The holiday shopping season is fast approaching and the Southlake Police Department is already hard at work making sure everyone has a safe shopping experience. Residents and visitors will notice a stepped up police presence at shopping centers throughout the City of Southlake. The annual Holiday Safety Initiative includes additional officers on traffic and bike patrol as well as our volunteer group, Citizens on Patrol.

The department would also like to remind everyone to follow the HIDE, LOCK, TAKE guidelines. It’s simple. HIDE your valuables, LOCK your car and TAKE your keys.  The holiday season is one of the peak times for crime especially for vehicle break-ins. Police Chief Stephen Mylett says, “It only takes a matter of seconds for thieves to break into your car and take off with the items that you have just purchased.”

Burglars and thieves are always on the lookout for items to steal even if your car is locked.  That’s why it’s so important to help shoppers become less of a target by asking them to follow the simple HIDE, LOCK, TAKE guidelines. With your help, we will be able to cut down on the “Grinch’s who want to try to steal your Christmas!”

As part of our Holiday Safety Initiative, our Citizens on Patrol (COP’s) volunteers will also be keeping a watchful eye for would-be thieves. And who better to help remind shoppers to protect themselves than “The Grinch” himself.  The Grinch will be decked out in full costume greeting shoppers at Southlake Town Square and handing out public safety reminders.

Southlake businesses are also encouraged to post Hide, Lock, Take signs around parking lots and entrances to their places of business. The signs will serve as an added reminder for shoppers who might be in a hurry and forget to protect the valuables inside their vehicle.

The Southlake Police Department wants to remind everyone that traffic will be heavy during the holiday season so be prepared to arrive early and drive courteously. We also want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!