Lt. William Matchko briefs the media on this year’s Holiday Safety Initiative at Metro Police headquarters Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. Matchko recommends not leaving personal items in plain sight.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 | 12:30 a.m.
The holidays approach and you’ve bought some pricey gifts: a TV, a game system or perhaps a new phone. Trusting that your new purchases are safe in the car as you continue shopping, you later find that what was intended to be given was instead taken.
Las Vegas-area law enforcement have launched an initiative to fight the grinches who would spoil the fun. But victims can also play a significant role in preventing retail crime, Metro Police Lt. William Matchko explained Tuesday morning.
Metro, North Las Vegas Police and Henderson Police will increase patrols in high-traffic retail areas during busy shopping times, which will see an uptick as Black Friday and the Christmas season approach, Matchko said.
Uniformed and undercover officers will be dispersed throughout the valley to try to nip at auto burglaries, grand larceny and vehicle thefts, said Matchko, who wouldn’t discuss staffing numbers or tactics.
He noted that thieves might be caught unawares. “Just because you don’t see the police out there, doesn’t mean they’re not there,” he warned them.
Inadvertently, shoppers’ habits might be facilitating, if not inviting, criminals to target them, Matchko said. He demonstrated this standing outside a prop SUV outside Metro headquarters.
Open windows and unlocked doors can draw crimes of opportunity, he said, but even securing them doesn’t guarantee burglars will stay away if electronics, suitcases and wrapped gifts are easily in view. They can smash your window, pick your lock or even steal your entire car, he added.
He advised shoppers to keep their noses out of their phones and watch their surroundings, Matchko said. Hide the items, lock your car, take valuables indoors.
Additionally, Matchko advised shoppers not to be out alone, and to park in well-lit areas and near surveillance cameras, if possible. Expensive purchases should be left till the end of a shopping trip.
If you see a crime in progress, don’t interfere and instead be a good witness, Matchko said. “See something, say something.”
For emergencies, dial 911, he said. An officer will respond, he added.
