Safety of the citizens of the City of Vicksburg is important all year long. During the holiday season, the Vicksburg Police Department would like for all citizens to take precautionary safety measures to ensure that this holiday season is a safe holiday season. The holidays are really no different than any other time of year when it comes to keeping yourself and your family safe. By implementing simple precautionary measures such as securing windows and doors, setting the alarm, shopping with a companion, parking in lit areas, and being aware of your surroundings can prevent the likelihood of a crime. Safety is an issue that we want everyone to take serious this holiday season.

The holiday season is always a special time of year. It is a great opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, celebrate life, to be grateful, and reflect on what’s important. Families and friends gather together year-after-year to enjoy the holidays, catch up on life events, take advantage of great sales, and make wonderful memories. It is also the time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. People are often in a rush buying gifts, decorating their homes, visiting friends and family, or traveling. During the holiday season, there is a big increase in the amount of people that are out and about shopping at the malls and grocery stores, packing the parking lots, and waiting in lines. We can never be too careful, too prepared, or too aware.

This holiday season, I ask the citizens of Vicksburg to be cautious. If you see something suspicious in your neighborhood or community, say something, even if it is something minor. Ask your neighbors to keep watch on your home/property when you are away for extended periods of time.  This holiday season let us all take a moment to secure our doors and windows, draw the curtains, and activate the home alarm system so that would-be burglars will not make you their next target. Burglars pray on homes that are poorly lit or dark and have the appearance as though nobody is home. This holiday season keep the would-be burglars away by lighting up your home’s exterior.

Holiday shopping is a tradition for many this time of year. We want your shopping experience to be a safe experience. Shopping during daylight hours will certainly decrease the chance of becoming the victim of a crime during the holidays. If you choose to shop at night, be sure to have a friend or family member with you. Shopping in groups will deter criminals from making you their next target. Remember not to overburden yourself with too many shopping bags; you might look vulnerable to criminals.

The Vicksburg Police Department will be working additional hours due to increased traffic, extended retail store hours, and to deter criminals during the holiday season. I would like to wish everyone a “Happy and Safe Holiday Season.”

Walter Armstrong is chief of the Vicksburg Police Department.