Crime Up During Holiday Shopping, Dothan Police Respond with Increased Patrols

It may come as no surprise that crime goes up during the holidays, as it is one of the busiest times of the year for shoppers.

That's why Dothan Police are beefing up patrols this holiday shopping season.

They call it the Holiday Local Impact, and they are hoping it will decrease crime this holiday season.

"(Officers in) the Holiday Local Impact are walking the stores, trying to be seen to deter and show people that we are out here before they make that mistake of theft and are taken to jail," said Officer Sammy Hancock.

Several officers are out each night during peak shopping hours watching for criminal activity in stores and parking lots.

"We have a lot of thefts inside the store, and outside in the cars. People are getting their stuff taken by people breaking into cars," said Hancock. "We really encourage women if they leave their purses in the car to hide it and make sure it is not visible."

Officers work the holiday patrols on their time off, so other officers can continue patrolling neighborhoods or the roadways.

"If a theft, breaking and entering or a robbery at a store happens (Holiday Local Impact officers) can actually handle it.  That way we can keep the patrolmen out patrolling the neighborhoods so people's houses don't get burglarized," said Hancock.

The Ozark Police Department will also be increasing their patrols this holiday season.

Both departments will continue their patrols until the end of the month.