Retired beat cop offers tips on how to protect yourself from pick pockets during the holidays
The holidays are a time when streets and shops are busy with shoppers. But it's also a time when pick pockets prey on shoppers they know are flush with cash and credit cards.
Here are some tips from retried North Shore police officer John Good, to prevent you from being a victim during the holidays.
• Position your purse in front
Women need to place their purse around their necks and across their chests. Carrying a purse on your arm or over one shoulder, makes it easy for thieves to snatch your purse.
• Be aware of your surroundings
Thieves look for shoppers who seem confused or disoriented. This is an opportunity for thieves to act before a shopper even knows they have been victimized. Look confident and look straight ahead, conveying an image of someone in charge.
• Cut back on flashy jewelry
If you want to wear flashy jewelry, keep it hidden beneath a coat or sweater. Maybe wear a less expensive watch or necklace when you are out.
• Look out for common scams
A favorite ploy of thieves is to approach you with a wallet and ask if you might have dropped yours. As you are searching for your wallet, you are signaling an accomplice where you keep your wallet. This makes it easier to follow you and pluck the wallet from your pocket.
• Ask for assistance if you are a victim of a crime
If you realize you are the victim of a crime, immediately report it to a store employee or manager and ask them to contact the police so an officer can create an incident report. Before the police arrive, create a detailed list of the items stolen, which will help police expedite a possible recovery.
• Be alert when checking out
Thieves station themselves near cash registers to watch for shoppers who flash a wad of cash or show multiple credit cards. Look around when you are checking out to see if someone is eying you.
I don't want to put a damper on your holidays, but a little prevention will ensure that the holidays are happy ones.
John Good is a Schaumburg resident and a retired 41-year veteran of a suburban Chicago police department, and the author of "Blood on the Badge."