Police step up patrol for LI holiday shoppers

Long Island shoppers in Suffolk County on Black Friday will be greeted by new police recruits on the lookout for criminals targeting crowded stores and downtowns.

Fifty Suffolk police recruits nearing the end of their academy training will be on patrol at malls and in commercial districts in more than a dozen communities, County Executive Steve Levy said at a news conference in Islip Monday.

"They're ready to go out under the supervision of our sergeants and lieutenants . . . and hit the streets to provide security for our residents," he said.

The enhanced holiday patrols will also include an additional seven officers assigned to DWI and aggressive driving patrols, said Police Commissioner Richard Dormer.

Drunken driving "is a killer on our highways. Don't do it," he said.

All the recruits are slated to graduate in January. They will be on foot, bike and car patrol through New Year's Day.

Among the enhanced patrol locations are the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, the Walt Whitman Mall in South Huntington, Neighborhood Road in Mastic Beach, downtown Huntington Village and Broadway Avenue in Rocky Point.

Nassau officials also announced a holiday shopping safety initiative, outlining plans for police coverage at malls and commercial areas and urging residents to be pay attention to their safety.

Regular marked and plainclothes patrols will be "intensifying their coverage" and will be augmented by the Mounted Unit and Bureau of Special Operations, police said in a news release.

"Dedicated patrols have been assigned to the major malls within the county, putting additional police officers at those locations during peak hours," the release from County Executive Ed Mangano and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey said.

Holiday safety tips

Before leaving home

Plan your shopping trip carefully. Know where you are going and what routes you will take to get there.

If possible, arrange for a friend to go shopping with you. There is safety in numbers.

Let someone know where you are going and what route you will be taking. Additionally, let them know when you expect to return.

Leave your home secure, engage alarms and give the appearance that your home is occupied by leaving the lights on in the most frequently used rooms.

Don't leave valuable items out in the open. Secure them in closets, safes, etc.

When parking

Always park in well-lit areas.

Note the location of your car in the parking lot to conveniently return after shopping.

Always lock all your doors.

Remove all items, such as radar detectors, laptops or packages and hide them in the trunk or glove compartment, or at least make sure items are out of sight.

Avoid parking near vans or other vehicles with covered cargo areas.

Avoid carrying large handbags. Carry only what is necessary.

Look around the parking lot for suspicious persons before exiting your car.

Don't get out of your car until you are ready. If you don't feel safe, stay in the car or drive away.

While shopping

Keep money and credit cards in your front pocket and try to limit the number of credit cards and amount of cash you're carrying while shopping.

To avoid being a victim of identity theft, beware of exposing credit cards, debit cards and other identification at the cash register and ATMs. Thieves will use cell phones to capture card information without your knowledge.

Be cognizant of other types of "distraction" crimes that typically occur during this time of the year.

When returning to your car

Never leave the store with your arms full of packages. Use a courtesy cart.

Have your car key in hand, ready to unlock your door.

Check the parking lot for suspicious people and look around before you exit the store.

Do not return to your vehicle if you see people loitering nearby.

Carry a whistle or other audible device. If you feel threatened, use it. If you're inside your vehicle, lock your doors and honk your horn to attract attention.

Check underneath, in front and in back of your car as you approach it.

Check the front and rear passenger seats inside your car before you enter it.

If you are planning on returning to the store, never leave your packages in plain view inside your vehicle. Lock them in the trunk or place them on the floor and cover them with a blanket or jacket.

Source: Nassau County police