Police: Don't Make Yourself a Victim

As the holiday season begins, Bridgewater Township Police have one over-arching recommendation for residents in terms of safety tips: be aware.

"Don't make yourself a victim as far as how you're acting," said Bridgewater Township Police Chief Richard Borden. "Be confident. Criminals are looking for the easiest prey."

With the holiday season comes crowded stores and malls, and the chance for more distractions as shoppers are loaded down with packages, and trying to get quickly from place to place.

But, Borden said, it is important most of all to be aware of what's going on by not overloading yourself with packages, and staying off the cell phone when you are walking through a parking lot.

"Don't be oblivious," he said. "Walk like you have a purpose, and park under lights."

"It's basic common sense," he added.

Bridgewater Township Police Officer John Cooper said he recommends that residents not let credit cards out of their sight.

"Now is the time for snatching cards and making unathorized charges," he said.

And Bridgewater Township Police Officer Robert Reilly said he advises that shoppers do not use debit cards at this time of year.

"If it gets stolen, it's harder to get the money back than a credit card when it's not actually your money," he said. "And don't use a debit card on the Internet either."

Reilly said he also recommends that people lock their car doors—unlocked doors usually lead to more burglaries, he said.

"There are always sporadic burglaries, and 99 percent of them are in unlocked cars," he said.

Bridgewater Township Captain Manny Caravela said shoppers should also avoid leaving items out in plain sight in a vehicle, particularly expensive items.

"Don't make yourself an easy target," he said.

When leaving a store or mall, Reilly said, particularly late at night, shoppers should have their keys ready and not be on the phone while they are walking.

"Mall security will always be happy to walk people to their cars late at night," he said. "Just be aware of who's around, and look around when you get to your car."

Aside from the shopping rush, Thanksgiving and the following holidays also mean a lot of traffic both at shopping centers and on the roads in general.

Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, is traditionally the most heavily traveled day of the year, and Bridgewater police still recommend that the best thing drivers can do is be aware.

"Don't drink and drive, and remember it gets darker earlier now," Caravela said. "Don't be distracted."

"And expect delays," Cooper added.

Traffic will also be an issue at places like the , the and the Somerset Shopping Center, particularly on Black Friday.

"The traffic will affect all access roads onto Commons Way and the area," Caravela said. "Even is becoming popular."

Borden said that if the police department is made aware of any large crowds or issues at stores, they add personnel and do whatever possible to take precautions. But with people camped out outside stores the night before Black Friday and hundreds of people shopping at the same time, there is not too much they can do to control the traffic.

"We have had extraneous officers hand monitoring signals, but that proves problematic too," he said. "We monitor as best we can, and officers can clear traffic by changing the signals if necessary."

But for the most part, while dealing with crowds, the best way to handle traffic and other concerns is to just be cognizant of what is going on.

"Just don't be distracted," Borden said.