Keep your car from becoming a gold mine for thieves
By: Kimberly Rusley
Updated: November 26, 2012
Mark Natale, P.I.O. for Bossier City Police, says it's easy for unsuspecting shoppers to become easy targets for criminals.
"Particularly when people are out buying their Christmas gifts, in a rush, sometimes that can be very stressful," says Mark Natale. "So the last thing on their mind is their own personal safety."
Here's some tips for safe holiday shopping:
"If you're walking in a dark area of a parking lot by yourself and you've got a lot of packages that you're carrying, and you're not being aware of your surroundings, that's a big no-no," says Natale.
Also be mindful of where you put your merchandise in the car.
When you walk out of the store with merchandise in your hands, it's easy to just throw everything in the back seat.
Natale says that's a big mistake. Keeping your merchandise out of sight after you buy it is a must.
shoppers we spoke to at this Target in Shreveport say they're extra careful when it comes to protecting their goodies.
"[I] don't leave big things locked up in my vehicles. I watch my surroundings while I'm leaving the store, you know. You just never can be too careful."
"First of all when I leave a store I look around. I'm real careful about that. If it's evening, especially I'm watchful about going to my car and making sure there's nobody that looks bothersome or suspicious."
They don't want to be the victim of a Christmas grinch.
