GAINESVILLE – “Caveat emptor” is Latin for “let the buyer beware” and may have been spoken by Caesar to his wife as she left for Black Friday shopping in ancient Rome. Okay, maybe not, but it is still good advice and is part of the message Gainesville Police are trying to share with the shopping public.
“Have a plan in place,” Gainesville Police Sergeant Kevin Holbrook says. “Know what you’re doing; know where you’re going to go.” And share your plan with a friend or family member.
“My wife she starts probably on Monday planning her Black Friday and where she is going and what she is doing,” Holbrook shared. He said it was also a good idea to call and “check-in” sometime during your day to let your family know you’re okay and to hear that they are safe as well.
He said using a cell phone app, such as the iPhone app “Find Friends”, is good strategy as it allows your location to be known by those with whom you share such information. “Know where your kids are…know where your friends are…be that watchful eye.”
Good preparation starts before you leave home Holbrook said. “Clean out your car. Take everything valuable out of your car that you can.” Minimize or eliminate the targets thieves seek as your vehicle sits in a parking lot. “Unfortunately, the criminals will be out too. They’re going to be out trying to get the best deal they can…victimizing shoppers. They really put a lot of thought into this…these criminals have been (making their plans) since last Black Friday.”
Take with you a blanket or large towel if your vehicle does not have a trunk where you can hide and secure your purchases, Holbrook urged. “Many people now have SUVs...so that you can cover your items.”
Employing the “buddy-system” is another good idea Holbrook said. “We do suggest that you go out in pairs…go with a friend…so that you can insure both parties are safe.”
Another recommendation from Holbrook is to keep your sales receipts separate from your purchases. He says in case items are stolen, “We want every piece of evidence that we can.”
Many merchants include serial numbers on those sales slips and that information can prove invaluable in identifying stolen items or in making a claim with your insurance company.
Holbrook also has advice for the burgeoning community of online shoppers and theft of their items after home delivery. “This is a growing problem, a growing trend across the nation,” Holbrook said.
“Packages get delivered when individuals are not at home and stuck on the porch or the driveway. This time of the year the criminals are out following the delivery trucks.”
He recommends making arrangements to pick up high value items at the delivery company (UPS/FedEx/USPS, etc.) facilities if no one can be at your residence to accept delivery. “It is a little more of an inconvenience, however, it may save you in the end.”
As a final piece of advice Holbrook said that because of the unsettling times we live in, and the existence of groups and individuals bent on promoting terror, “If you see something, say something. If you notice anything that is suspicious, please report it. Whether it is reported to a local security guard or you simply call 911…we don’t care…no matter how small it is. That may be the one thing that saves your life and/or someone else’s life.”
“We are going to be out in full force this holiday weekend,” Holbrook said regarding a two-pronged approach to security planned by the GPD.
He said a uniformed police presence will be evident. “We are going to begin our 'Spot the Cop' campaign, something we have done the past couple of years.” And an abundance of plain-clothes law enforcement officers will be on duty as well, “We want to fit in with the shoppers. They may never know we’re there; however, we’re going to be there watching over them.”
