Police: Watch Out For Those Scrooges While Spreading Holiday Cheer

As we turn to the home stretch of the holiday shopping season, the Brookfield Police Department is recommending to be extra diligent and careful of those scrooges that lurk. 

One of the big areas of dangers is when shopping. The department's crime prevention unit says that we should be aware of our surroundings, especially in shopping malls and parking lots and shop during daylight hours if possible. 

Parking close to your designation and, of course, lock your doors on your vehicle.  

Also, be extra diligent as to where your keep your wallet and purse. Avoid putting your purse in a shopping cart or over a chair. Also, it's a good idea not to carry cash  and if you do need to have cash, keep it in your front pocket. 

When paying for gifts, do not allow the salesperson to record your credit card number on a check. If you pay with a credit card, do not give out your driver's license number or social security number. 

When shopping with children, make sure they know how to notify store personnel when they are lost. And hold their hands in parking lot. 

When you get your gifts home and unwrap them, break down cartons and boxes of big items such as computers and televisions.