Staying Safe While You Shop Your Heart Out
For many people, the mall is a safe haven for spending
a day off relaxing and catching up on shopping, dining at a favorite restaurant
or simply getting out of the house with loved ones. But how safe is your mall?
Statistics vary, but they point to cause for concern.
The good news is, US national crime rates continue to
decline. But tell that to a person who has been the victim of a carjacking at
the mall or who has found her purse snatched by a robber, and it's cold comfort.
According to an analysis by the South Florida
Sun-Sentinel, women - particularly
mothers with children - remain the most likely target of crimes. In addition,
most crimes occur during daylight, with the most dangerous places in the mall
being parking lots and garages. The Sun-Sentinal also found that mall
security often is concentrated inside the mall, and unfortunately surveillance
cameras all too often are non-existent, broken or capture images that were
flawed or useless.
"We like to think of malls as refuges and places
of calm, but that's not reality, because they're wide open and they're part of
the community," Jonathan Lusher, managing partner for IPC International, a
security company serving more than 400 U.S. malls, told the Sun-Sentinal.
According to the experts, mall robbers strike fast,
often working in pairs. Many use stolen getaway cars and hit up different
locales, making them difficult to pin down and capture. And since victims
usually are selected at random by perpetrators, it's hard for investigators to
find solid leads.
Therefore, if you fall victim to a crime at the mall,
police advise that you must pay attention and try to memorize as many details
possible, such as license plate numbers, physical features of the robber, etc.
Luckily, a little common sense is usually all it takes
to enjoy a safe day at the local mall. When you arrive at the shopping center,
look for a brightly lit parking area and take note of your spot so there's no
confusion and need for wandering around the parking lot later. Try not to draw
attention to yourself by carrying a large (or expensive) purse, and keep the
expensive jewelry to a minimum (nothing screams, "I have lots of money and
assets on me" more than flashy bling). Don't assume the parking lot is security with surveillance cameras. Even if they are present. Someone may or may NOT be watching them.
Carry your purse tightly in your hand or firmly under
your arm. A zipped bag is preferable, so opportunists inside the mall won't be
tempted to distract you and reach into your open bag and snatch your wallet. If
you need a large bag, secure it across your body to make yourself less vulnerable
to robbers looking for an easy target.
When you arrive at the mall and when you prepare to
leave, do not linger in your car. Lock your doors immediately.
When walking in a mall parking lot, have your keys in
hand and walk briskly, keeping an eye on your surroundings. Take note of
individuals ahead, beside and behind you, all while watching for cars moving
slowly-particularly if they appear headed toward you.
Don't be afraid to make eye contact with suspicious
people; you want to appear confident and ensure a would-be robber knows you
cannot be caught by surprise.
If you find yourself confronted by a robber, experts advise that your best course of action is to quickly hand over your valuables requested. If the perpetrator is a carjacker, give up your keys and exit the car. DO NOT fight back in any of these instances.