Downtown Summerlin shoppers are rediscovering the richness of the brick-and-mortar retail experience now in the holiday shopping season on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. L.E. Baskow.
Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Metro Police will increase their presence in commercial shopping areas this holiday season, as the department anticipates a rise in retail and auto theft, burglary and robbery, Capt. David Sims said in a briefing Tuesday afternoon.
As part of its annual “holiday initiative” beginning this weekend, Metro will deploy marked police vehicles, uniformed and plain-clothes officers to shopping centers throughout the Las Vegas Valley, Sims said. The department traditionally sees an increase in crime incident reports at or near shopping malls during the holiday season, he added, as they see more shoppers.
“Unfortunately, we have to remember that there’s always a criminal element that tends to take advantage of a large increase of shoppers and common crimes include retail … theft, auto burglaries, as well as robberies,” Sims said.
Metro made 163 arrests — including 80 felony or gross misdemeanors — impounded five firearms and issued 935 traffic citations over the course of its 2021 holiday initiative, Sims said.
He emphasized the importance of people locking their car doors and taking their keys, as well as hiding any valuables, work bags, merchandise or firearms that may be in the vehicle. Take those items with you if possible, he said, and don’t leave phones or other small electronic devices in plain view in the vehicle.
Criminals may be in the parking lot looking for people who load items into their cars before heading back inside a shopping mall, Sims warned. And if you’re shopping at night, he recommends parking in a well-lit area near the main entrances.
“By taking simple steps you can help us by significantly decreasing the opportunity for a criminal to take advantage of the situation and make you a victim,” Sims said.
For people trying to surprise their loved ones and purchasing gifts in cash, Sims said they should count it out in the privacy of their home and not in public areas.
In regard to “package pirates,” or people who may steal online orders off someone’s doorstep, Sims said to consider having a package delivered to a locker system or other alternative, instead of your porch.
Overall, Sims emphasized, just be aware of your surroundings this holiday season. If you see or experience a crime, contact the police so they can help address the incident, he said.
“Our agency values your safety and understands that the holidays are a time for families to gather, to travel, to celebrate and certainly go shopping,” Sims said. “As a community, we can work together to have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.”
