Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Nov. 26, 2024 – Shoppers will see extra police presence around retail areas during the holiday season.

Mayor Harold Copenhaver greenlighted the Jonesboro Police Department to schedule additional police shifts between Black Friday and New Years Day to increase police presence in highly populated shopping areas. This initiative aims to provide a stronger safety presence for holiday shoppers and deter the annual rise in automobile break-ins and thefts common in cities across the country during the holiday season.

“We’ve had great feedback in the past with this program. Our goal is to reach 1,000 hours of additional police presence. We have seen that more police visibility deters crime in parking lots and in stores. This year we will have officers in vehicles, on foot, and visible in stores. We want patrons to be comfortable and confident that they are safe here,” Copenhaver said.

The additional patrols will include officers driving through parking lots with solid blue lights on display, making their presence more visible to shoppers. Officers are encouraged to walk through stores, offering a more direct and approachable safety presence.

“During the holiday season, we welcome the influx of people coming to our city to shop, dine and celebrate the season. We are doing our part to be proactive in offering extra officers to patrol high traffic shopping areas again this year. But we also need you, residents and visitors, to do your part,” said Chief of Police Rick Elliott.

The Jonesboro Police Department reminds residents and visitors to take the following precautions while out shopping:

  • Secure your belongings: Do not leave valuables in vehicles, locked or unlocked.
  • Shop smart: Don’t buy more than you can carry or have a plan for another individual or store employee to help you transport items into your vehicle.
  • Stay aware: Please be attentive. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions like mobile devices while in parking lots or crowded spaces. If you see something, say something by calling 911.
  • Be cautious with payments: Wait until asked before pulling out your credit card, cash, or checkbook.

“A safer shopping and dining experience during our busiest season is great for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. We want people from all around to spend their time here supporting our local economy,” Copenhaver said.

For more information on holiday safety or police activities, contact the Jonesboro Police Department at: 870.935.5657 or email Sally Smith at ssmith@jonesboro.org.