Shopping Safety Suggestions – WHIZ – Fox 5 / Marquee Broadcasting

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The holidays are a busy time for many that leaves them vulnerable to the spitefulness of criminals.

Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz discussed holiday shopping safety and presented some ideas that could save you from being a victim during your holiday rush.

“When you go shopping now, a lot of people go after work and so it’s really dark,” Lutz said. “So we always emphasize to people to park under street lights… in parking lots. Again, I think if someone is going to try something with you, it’s probably going to be in a dark area, where they’re not going to be recognizable or be able to be identified. So there are a lot of lights in parking lots and so just try to be mindful of that.”

Lutz recommends always locking your vehicle and keeping your packages out of sight to help prevent them from being stolen as well as not getting distracted or spending too much time when getting in and out of your vehicle. 

“It’s really busy right now in Zanesville no matter where you’re at,” Lutz said. “And there’s always people walking to a store and from the store. Wait ‘til somebody’s walking by. Get out of your car then. Walk beside them, behind them, you’re not going to know them but just walking in groups really has an impact, I think, from being singled out and that kind of thing. Be mindful of your surroundings coming out. You’re pretty vulnerable at that point for somebody to do what we call a snatch and grab, where they just run up, knock you down and take your stuff.”

Lutz noted that criminals often target high value items and take advantage of the easiest and most convenient opportunities such as unattended merchandise, obscure locations and weak or distracted people.