Stopping Holiday Crime Before it Starts

A recent string of armed robberies has officials concerned about heightened crime during the holiday season. 

In 2011, there were 81 total commercial robberies compared to 91 just in the first 10 months of 2012, a press release stated. 

The increase in commercial robberies is not targeted to any specific type of business as robbers have hit restaurants, convenience stores, retail stores, pharmacies and home improvement stores. 

In order for businesses to remain vigilant in fighting the holiday increase in crime, officials are asking for customers and business owners to do the following:

• Business owners can request free armed robbery safety training from the Community Action Team.   
• Businesses and homeowners can ask for free security analysis from the Community Action Team. 
• Businesses should train their employees about what to do before, during and after a robbery.
• Businesses should be part of a crime watch and be vigilant.
• Call 911 for all suspicious activity
• Business and homeowners should increase lighting while decrease landscaping