Police urge shoppers to watch for thefts

Black Friday kicked off serious holiday shopping for many, and law enforcement agencies are working to make sure those gifts end up under a tree and not in the hands of a thief.

Sgt. Mark Johnson of the Monroe Police Department said for whatever reason, armed robberies tend to increase this time of year. The region has already experienced a few high-profile armed robberies in the last month, including a bank robbery at Ouachita Independent Bank on U.S. 165, a robbery at the America Cash Advance on Louisville Avenue, and a bank robbery in Bastrop.

“The weather gets cold and people are trying to get out of the weather, or the pressure of the holidays makes people commit these types of crimes, but whatever the reason, these robberies tend to increase this time of year,” Johnson said.

Johnson also said that with the increased volume of shoppers, thieves have more targets to go after in busy centers throughout the shopping hub of Monroe.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is deploying its Special Crime Apprehension Team to target thieves in shopping-rich environments to better protect the thousands from throughout the region who will flock to the city over the next month.

The SCAT team’s “Santa Patrol” deploys eight to 10 officers in plain clothes to go into retail businesses and parking lots to watch for suspicious activity.

“You’d be amazed at what plainclothed officers see when people don’t know we’re there,” said Maj. Mike Moore.

The team has been targeting businesses for at least seven years, and Moore said the tactic seems to be working.

Police also are keeping vigil on the city during the Christmas season. Johnson said while people are shopping, they should be sure to hide their purchases or secure them in the trunk while hopping from store to store.

“If you’re buying a lot, consider going home and dropping off the purchases and then go back to finish your shopping,” Johnson said.

Deputies and police alike are keeping an extra eye on houses and neighborhoods that could become targets for burglaries.

Johnson said it’s important people secure their homes and cars. Game cameras can help keep an property, and suspicious activity should be reported to the police.

He also said people should take steps to make it look like someone is at home, even when the house is empty.

“Leave a light or two on. Pick up your newspapers. Make it look like someone’s there,” Johnson said.