Stay safe for the season while out shopping
Through December, City of Kamloops Community Safety volunteers are focusing on parking areas in retail locations.
They are targeting shoppers during the Christmas season to educate them on the importance of securing their purchases out of sight, along with any other valuables.
“Safe for the Season” tip cards containing information on vehicle crime-prevention practices will be left on windshields while volunteers patrol parking lots and talk with shoppers.
“We’ve seen huge success with this program and we are excited to see it back for a fourth year,” said crime-prevention co-ordinator Sandro Piroddi.
“We couldn’t do it without our fantastic volunteer team.”
Also part of the endeavour is the “Out of Sight” campaign for a second holiday season to remind the public to secure their valuables while shopping.
The campaign is a lock-out auto crime initiative that has been developed by Kamloops Community Safety to teach shoppers about the potential risk of theft from vehicles.
Strip malls, parking lots and curbside parking are all prime target areas for thieves.
Community Safety is using stickers to convey the simple message of securing valuables.
They are also asking Kamloops retailers to put the campaign stickers on their retail bags, demonstrating their commitment to community safety.
Anyone who receives the sticker can go to the city’s website at kamloops.ca to enter to win a prize.
Prizes will be drawn weekly during December.
Tips for shoppers to avoid being a victim:
• Do not leave any of your holiday shopping in plain view (secure it in the trunk or cover it).
• Do not leave your items unattended for long periods of time (where possible, take things home between trips).
• Do park in well-lit areas, close to buildings with heavy foot traffic.
• Do pay attention to your surroundings when you are placing items in your vehicle (make sure you are not being observed).
• Do use a steering-wheel lock.
• Do install an immobilizer or an alarm system.
• If you do carry a purse, do not leave it unattended in your cart or turn your back on it.
• Do not think “it won’t happen to me.”
For more information, and to join the Community Safety Team, call 250-828-3818 or go online here.
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