Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the shopping season and the stores and parking lots will soon be crowded with holiday shoppers. Navigating one’s way through a crowded store with packages can leave you feeling overwhelmed and distracted, as well as a target of unsuspecting crime.
This holiday season, the Greenville Police Department will strive to make sure everyone has safe travels on our roads. Through highly visible traffic enforcement, we will aim to reduce traffic collisions and targeted crimes throughout the retail districts to provide a safe and enjoyable holiday shopping experience.
We would like to encourage residents and visitors to the City to look out for each other and report any suspicious activity to police. We all must work together and remain vigilant in reporting suspicious behavior or events. If you see something, say something.
The Greenville Police Department’s Selective Enforcement Team, along with several other officers will be focusing on high travel areas of the city and monitoring different intersections for traffic concerns. Some of the most complained about issues during this holiday season are aggressive drivers and the blocking of intersections.
Officers will be watching for these violations and will be citing accordingly. Not only is aggressive driving and blocking intersections a nuisance to the public, it is also dangerous and results in unnecessary collisions and injuries.
In an effort to ensure everyone has a safe and fun holiday shopping season the GPD would like to offer the following Holiday Shopping Safety Tips.
- Have a shopping plan…let someone know what your plan is including when you intend to be home.
- Coordinate shopping trips with friends and family.
- Park in a well-lighted area and try not to walk to your car alone.
- Lock your car and remember where you parked it. When you return, be prepared to enter your vehicle and leave, don’t loiter about holding packages.
- Never leave your car unoccupied with the motor running.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and be mindful of your wallet/purse.
- Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your house if you plan to be away. Do not get packages delivered to your house if you plan to be out of town.
PLEASE BE PATIENT if you plan to be out on the roads this holiday season.