With the holiday season in full swing, Troy Police Chief Randall Barr said extra patrols are out in shopping centers in hopes to deter criminals.

“It’s just that time of the year,” Barr said. “We’re trying to do some walkthroughs with all stores doing some extra patrols and trying to prevent problems from occurring.”

Barr said the gift-shopping season brings along an increased chance of theft.

“People are out shopping for Christmas gifts, you have extra traffic in stores and people sometimes are carrying more cash or leaving gifts in their cars,” Barr said. “We want to encourage people of they purchase something and the y aren’t going home before they go in another store or business to put those things out of sight. Nothing should be visible from outside the vehicle that a thief might look at and find valuable.”

Barr said some items that should always be kept out of sight are cell phones, purses, money of any amount and especially firearms.

He also encourages citizens to always lock their car doors and make sure all windows are rolled up and valuables should not be left in the vehicle if they don’t have to be.

“It’s also that time of year with people in the giving spirit that con artists will prey on people; they’ll try to get you to do anything,” Barr said. “Be careful who you deal with and don’t give out info anyone could use in identity theft; you just cant be too careful.”

In the case of an emergency, residents should call 911. For other suspicious activity, people can call the non-emergency line at 334-566-0500 or the secret witness line at 334-566-5555.