CHICAGO (WBBM) -- 'Tis the season to be jolly -- and pickpocketed and scammed.
Chicago Police are asking you to take precautions in crowds this holiday season, to avoid becoming a victim.
"Don't be reading your book. Don't be looking through that shopping material for whatever store you might be looking at," said Chicago Police Cmdr. John Graeber. "You have to pay attention to who's around you...they're looking for you to have your mind totally somewhere else."
Graeber said that wallets stuffed into back pockets, purses slung over shoulder while carrying bags full of presents, and backpacks of all kinds in crowded spaces are inviting targets for thieves.
He said the pickpockets and thieves often work in teams of three to five people, and watch for shoppers and others who don't take precautions.
During a demonstration outside the Central District Police station, officers gave demonstrations of ways people could be robbed of their wallets and purses merely going through revolving doors or while encountering crowds on the street.
Graeber said you should be especially wary of anyone who drops keys or change, appears to faint or bumps into you. A thief may be right behind.
Other suggestions include:
- keeping receipts separate from your wallets;
- avoid carrying unnecessary personal information, such as a social security card, old credit cards of ATM receipts;
- keeping purses close to your body, preferably in front of you or under a jacket or coat;
- keeping wallets in front pants pocket or coat breast pockets;
- walking confidently;
- not leaving packages and other valuables on car seats where they can be seen;
- not leaving purses slung over chairs in restaurants and stores;
- and not carrying valuables in backpacks, which have little security.
Police have stepped up patrols on both State Street and North Michigan Avenue to try to deter the thieves, as well as to help those who are confused or lost. Some of the police tactical teams are well-schooled in what thieves do, and will be watching -- many in plainclothes.
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