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Crime & Safety

Holiday Safety Tips from Tampa Police Department

Lisa Timmer of the Tampa Police Department offers advice for crime awareness and prevention.

Lisa Timmer of the Tampa Police Department offers this holiday shopping reminder and some safety tips:

There were four robberies in District Two yesterday. Although our agency experiences robberies throughout the year, it seems to escalate during the holiday seasons. More people are out with money, credit cards, etc. The robbers know this, and they use this opportunity to victimize citizens. TPD responds to these crimes by increasing the amount of uniform and plainclothes officers on the  streets. DNA is always collected from evidence left behind and we also know our known offenders. It is just a matter of time before they are identified and arrested. In the meantime, I'd like to share a few crime prevention tips with you.

1.  Pay attention to your surroundings. You will see in one of these reports the victim had a feeling something was about to happen, so he instructed  his shopping partner to go in the house and call police. Listen to your instincts !

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2.  Try to shop in numbers. When you return to your vehicle or home, look around.  If you are uncomfortable with someone's presence, go around the block or back inside the store. Park in heavy pedestrian traffic areas and well lit areas.

3.  Do not carry important documents such as Social Security cards. Limit the amount of credit cards and cash on hand.

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4. If you are robbed, give the suspect what they want. Material items are not worth injury or death. Material belongings can be replaced. You cannot. 

5.  This time of year many of you travel. If staying in a hotel, utilize the safes provided in the room to secure your valuables.

Although these reports reflect the worst in people, it is important to know that there are many more people in our community who are law-abiding and caring. Never lose sight of that!  

Lisa Timmer is Neighborhood Affairs Liaison for Tampa Police Department's District Two.

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