Ask an Officer: How Can I Stay Safe During the Holiday Shopping Season?

Have a question you've always wanted to ask someone in law enforcement? Officer Wayne Twombly of the Fair Oaks Police District, which encompasses Oakton, will answer your question through our Ask an Officer feature. Readers submit questions and Officer Twombly responds. Send questions to Nicole.Trifone@patch.com or submit them in the comments section below.

Here is this week's question:

As the holiday shopping season picks up, what are some tips for keeping me and my purchased items safe?

First, park in well-lit areas. You want to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be mindful of any suspicious people in the area. Remember, there is safety in numbers, so try to not shop alone, or you can always ask mall security to walk you to your vehicle. They will be more than happy to assist you. Try to keep attentive, so you can be observant. So, try to not be pre-occupied with talking on your cell phone while walking to your car when you have your arms full of packages.

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