Police Tips for Safe Mall Shopping This Weekend

Heading for Tysons this morning? McLean Patch is on the way to begin and end the Christmas shopping. (They open at 10am for Christmas.)

We just wanted to share 5 tips from 2nd Lt. Tony Matos, of the McLean Police District, who heads a group of officers who patrol Tysons Corner. at Christmas*

1. Take only what you really need to the mall.

That means only the credit card you're going to use. No purse. No Social Security card. No passport. No citizenship papers.

2. Be aware of your surroundings.

"We want people to shop and enjoy themselves in our malls but we have to realize that there are people who want to take advantage of our citizens," he said. Take your purse into the dressing rooms with you.

3. If it doesn't feel right, act on it.

Matos said women really do have a "sixth sense" when something isn't right. If someone is standing too close to you, if someone seems to be standing around, step away.

4. Limit items you are carrying.

Don't walk around with your hands full. You have lost the ability to defend yourself.

5. Check your credit cards purchases daily and your credit report online.

5.1. Shop during the day when malls are less crowded.

We'll be there at 10 because we don't do crowds.

*Matos leads a special team of 11 police officers and two supervisors who work in plain clothes for five weeks at the nation's sixth largest shopping center.