HOUSTON – Houston Police Chief Troy Finner announced the Houston Police Department’s annual holiday safety campaign on Tuesday.
The HPD Holiday Safety Campaign will be happening throughout the next five weeks. Officers shared weekly crime prevention tips to educate Houstonians on safe shopping and holiday celebration habits.
“I always remind people of one thing, there are those individuals in our city and some of them don’t want to work and they want to victimize people during this season,” Chief Finner said.
HPD has asked shoppers to stay vigilant while shopping this holiday season. HPD has also increased patrols in mall parking lots to deter robberies and thefts.
Finner told KPRC 2 shoppers can avoid becoming targets by staying off their cellphones, traveling in groups, parking in well-lit areas and carrying a minimal amount of cash or credit cards.
“If you are going to make a large purchase, a large expensive purchase, make sure it’s your last purchase of the day and drive straight home,” Finner said.
Shoppers can do a ride-along with HPD on patrol in a mall on Black Friday.