Video: Christmas Season Shopping Safety Tips

[syndicaster id=’6091051′]

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — Northeast Mississippians are gearing up for the official start of the Christmas shopping season.

That means crowded stores, roadways and parking lots, and hopefully, big bargains.

Every year, Tupelo police beef up patrols in the Mall at Barnes Crossing area and other shopping centers from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

“We’ve had a kind of a slight rise in auto thefts, burglaries,” said Chief Bart Aguirre.

He says shoppers don’t have to be easy targets.

Aguirre  says when you park your car, never leave valuables, such as a wallet or laptop inside the vehicle, in plain sight.

It’s always best to shop with a buddy and always be aware of your surroundings.

“They’re going to start following you around and you will notice them starting to follow you in and out of stores, to your car, those are the kind of people you want to be aware of, always shop with a partner, somebody else who can help you watch your back,” Aguirre said.

If you notice anything suspicious inside a store, alert security. If you notice this person in the parking lot or on the road, call 911.

Police say you should expect traffic delays and don’t get in too big of a hurry this shopping season.