Soddy-Daisy Police Chief Phil Hamrick and Lt. Jeff Gann say some crimes, such as theft, happen more frequently during the holiday season. They recently shared safety tips to help keep citizens and business owners safe this Christmas season.
“The best way to be prepared is to start thinking like they think. How desperate would you get in your actions to try to feed your family?” asked Gann. “We’ve got to think negative to live positive.”
Holiday shoppers should keep a close eye on their surroundings, especially in parking lots of retail stores, he said.
“When you pull in the parking lot, don’t park beside a van or camper or anything with tinted windows,” Gann advised.
If a business owner drives by their business and sees a suspicious car, they should inform the police, said Hamrick. Business owners should alter their habits and routines, he added.
Gann also reminded business owners to be aware of what their employees are doing. If the business accepts credit cards, employees can easily steal customers’ information by quickly taking a picture of both sides of the card with a cellphone. The employee could then order items with the card and have them shipped to the business, he said.
“Also be aware of what you’re saying,” Gann said in reference to customers.
He said he was recently in a store where a customer began talking about all the items she had previously purchased that were stored in her car. Anyone standing around could have easily identified her car and stolen the merchandise, said Gann.
“It’s not just this time of year,” he said. “I urge you to be careful and cautious about what you’re doing every day.”
Hamrick said business owners who are taking a deposit to the bank can call the Police Department to see if an officer is available to escort them.
“We can’t say the availability will always be there,” said Gann, adding that before making a deposit, people should circle the bank and make sure no one is waiting around the corner. “Think about the possibility that someone’s got a plan of action for what your next move is.”
Hamrick encouraged citizens to call 911 if they see anything suspicious, or if they are following a driver they believe is intoxicated.
Gann said the number of DUIs has actually decreased recently, but incidents related to texting are on the rise.
“It’s a criminal offense,” he said of texting, adding that the action can be traced.
Two sobriety checks were recently conducted in the city, said Gann, who was “proud to report” that not a single driver was found to be impaired. However, many cars were filled with passengers who had been drinking, he said.
“They all had a designated driver,” said Hamrick. “They’re starting to educate themselves.”
Gann pointed out that while most holiday drinkers are getting smarter, he recently arrested someone for their 13th DUI.
“They’re out there,” he said, urging drivers to be aware.