Springfield: Shop Safely This Season

The Springfield Mall and other stores along Baltimore Pike bustle with eager gift seekers every December.

While the Springfield Township Police Department wants consumers to patronize local businesses, the police offered some safety tips at the Dec. 11 Board of Commissioners meeting for the public to remember.

"The holiday season brings new shoppers to Springfield, but it unfortunately also leads to an increase in thefts," Commissioners President Jeff Rudolph said, reading from his police report.

Whether shopping at a store or receiving deliveries at home, a few tips can go a long way in making your holiday season a little cheerier.

"Remember to trust your instincts. If a situation doesn't feel right, remove yourself to a safe place and notify police if necessary," he said.

• 1. When shopping, refrain from leaving merchandise and gifts in plain view in your vehicle.
• 2. Be aware of your surroundings.
• 3. Avoid individuals who invade your personal space or talk to you in order to distract you.
• 4. Keep wallets and purses close to you, and avoid placing them down on counters/shopping carts.  
• 5. When having items shipped to your home, request they be delivered out-of-sight, to the side or rear of your property. Try to be home, or ask a neighbor to accept it for you, if possible.

Visit the Springfield police's website for more information.