Operation Secret Santa Kicks Off at Malls

From City of Tampa Online:

With “Black Friday” and the holiday season upon us, the Tampa Police Department will launch a strong police presence in mall parking lots starting Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Officers will take their enforcement efforts inside the mall to prevent shoplifting while officers on horseback, motorcycles and unmarked cars patrol the shopping mall parking lots.

Chief Jane Castor will address the troops as they kick off the operation designed to prevent car burglaries, car thefts and shoplifting at 10 a.m. by the Police Command Post Westshore Mall in front of Maggiano’s.

The annual mall operation significantly decreases crime in the parking lots and shopping malls.

While officers patrol the parking lots, they will be looking for criminal activity, but also educating shoppers about the dangers of leaving packages and valuables in their vehicles.

More than 35 million dollars a day in goods are stolen from retailers in the U.S.

Shoplifting overburdens the police and the courts, adds to a store's security expenses, costs consumers more for goods and costs communities lost dollars in sales taxes.

This year officers will patrol in the shopping areas through Jan. 1, 2012.