7 Tips to Keep Palmetto Bay Area Grinches Away While You Shop

While Palmetto Bay area shoppers couldn't wait to hit the stores on Black Friday, it's important to remember that some real life Grinches may be lurking in the shadows to steal your holiday cheer.

Miami-Dade police told Patch that they are stepping up their presence at area shopping malls — not just on Black Friday, but for the duration of the holiday shopping period — and they offered some tips on how to avoid becoming a holiday crime statistic.

“In the malls, you will see car windows smashed as a result of people leaving packages on the seats,” Jennifer Capote of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Patch. “You see pickpocketing and people don’t realize their personal items are missing. Basically, all crimes of opportunity because we become so occupied with shopping.”

Capote told Patch that shoppers can take 7 steps to avoid the holiday blues:

• Always be aware of your surroundings. People who pay attention are less likely to become victims.
• Make sure your vehicle is locked and the windows are closed before you do your shopping.
• Avoid leaving any gifts inside your vehicle.
• Park your vehicle in a well-lit area. If your vehicle is parked in a dark area, ask security for an escort when you finish shopping.
• As you approach your vehicle, be sure to have your car keys in hand. Avoid fumbling for your keys in the parking lot.
• If you discover a problem with your vehicle when you finish shopping, such as a flat tire, request assistance from security or return to the information counter in the shopping center.
• Be on the lookout for pickpockets, especially in crowded areas.

Miami area shoppers couldn't wait to hit the stores. Photo by Jill Leiva.