Wednesday, December 27, 2000
|
Wednesday, December 27, 2000 |
|
FVPD concentrates on Pavilion, other retail areas for holidays By JOHN
MUNFORD Since the end of Thanksgiving the official start of the holiday shopping frenzy Fayetteville police officers have increased their presence at the Fayette Pavilion and other retail areas in town. The officers have been on the lookout for auto break-ins, shoplifting and other seasonal crimes, said Lt. Tom Kirkbride of the Fayetteville Police Department. In addition, the increased presence has led to several drug arrests also, Kirkbride added. The operation has involved both officers on the regular schedule and officers who were authorized for overtime in an effort to enhance enforcement for the Christmas holiday season, Kirkbride said. "The City of Fayetteville has officers working there during peak times," Kirkbride said. "Some of those are from regular positions and there are officers on overtime." Last week alone, the department made five shoplifting arrests and another three for forgery, although it is not known how many of those arrests occurred at the Fayette Pavilion stores. Kirkbride said the increased presence at local retail stores has resulted in several good arrests and also seems to have had a deterrent effect on crime. Both uniformed officers and plain clothes officers have been on duty in the area. In addition to patrolling the area, officers also handed out pamphlets encouraging shoppers to exercise caution to help prevent them from becoming crime victims over the holidays, Kirkbride said. "Lots of people have been thanking us for our efforts," Kirkbride said. "We have been getting good results from our proactive patrols." "The holiday is busy for everybody and crime usually picks up both statewide and nationwide," Kirkbride noted. "We're just trying to make sure that does not become a problem here."
|
||