Natchitoches Christmas town offers welcome with safety tips

NATCHITOCHES, LA - Carol Forsloff -  In a town like Natchitoches, Louisiana where news is intimately shared and where folks have three not six degrees of separation, the parish sheriff, Victor Jones, provides Natchitoches with  tips on holiday safety that are useful around the country.

Natchitoches is the Christmas town of Louisiana, known for its holiday lights that rival heaven's stars from mid November until after the first week of January.  People come from all over the world to join the citizens of Natchitoches in celebrating the birth of Jesus.  It is a wonderful life played out in strings of lights through the downtown section and adjoining streets and the colorfully lit historic homes that dot the town, the traditional Christmas carols and the love and goodwill shared by friends and neighbors with visitors who come from around the world.

From the public website of the Sheriff of Natchitoches, Victor Jones here are some ways to be safe this holiday season:

All the signs of Christmas are starting to appear; light and garland are
lining streets and boulevards, Santa will soon be making appearances
for eager children and families are planning annual get-togethers.


“But don’t become so preoccupied with the thrill and excitement of
shopping and holiday festivities that you lose your sense of good
judgment when it comes to your personal safety,” warns Sheriff Jones.
“Remember that this is also a time when criminals work overtime to take
advantage of innocent, law-abiding people. They prey upon larger crowds
and extended store hours. This, combined with all the distractions
related to shopping, creates the perfect setting for petty thieves and
criminal types.”


Sheriff Jones strongly advises shoppers to think “safety first” before
they embark on this year’s shopping across the country, he is warning
Natchitoches Parish residents to keep their guard up to avoid becoming
one of the millions of people victimized by crime each year.


And how do we go about protecting ourselves during this holiday shopping
season? Sheriff Jones advises busy shoppers that they can take some
safety precautions to reduce their chances of being victimized by the
likes of those criminals who thrive on shoppers at this time of the
year. Holiday shopping precautions include:


Always try to shop with another person. A single shopper is the ultimate target for theft.


When going shopping, make sure you tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return home.


Plan ahead. If you know you are going to return to your car after
nightfall, park in a well-lit area. Note your parking place. Parking
lots have a tendency to look very different as cars come and go.


If you are in a store and sense that you are being followed locate a
store employee or security personnel. Be prepared to give them a
complete description of the person you suspect.


If carrying cash, keep it in a front pocket. This makes it more difficult for a pick-pocket to remove.


Store car keys in a pants or jacket pocket. If you purse is stolen, you will still be able to drive home.


Take only one or two credit cards and a couple of checks with you.


Make a list of all credit card numbers and the number to call in case
they are lost or stolen. This will make the incident a lot easier to
report.


If you feel uneasy returning to your car alone, find a security guard and ask him to walk you to your car.


When returning to your car, check around it and in the back seat.


Have your car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle.


Sheriff Jones concluded, “Remember, a few simple safety precautions can
reduce or eliminate your potential for becoming a victim of holiday
crime. From all of us at the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, have

a safe and joyous holiday season.