The holiday season is always a busy and special time of year. It is also a time when citizens are more vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. Citizens can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. The DPD wants to reduce crime and the fear of crime during this holiday season in hopes that everyone who lives, shops, dines, or entertains in Douglas can do so in peace.
According to DPD Police Chief Brannen Pruette, “DPD is actively pursuing ways to be more proactive during this holiday season and it is hoped to “freeze out” crimes that occur during the holidays this season. The men and women of the Douglas Police Department will be proactive during this holiday season so the citizens of Douglas and those who visit Douglas can be at ease while enjoying themselves with family and friends.”
The Douglas Police Department has started sharing holiday safety tips series on the DouglasGaPoliceDepartment Facebook page which includes driving, ATM safety tips, and other tips for holiday season shopping and travel. These tips are being prepared to help reduce the likelihood of citizens becoming a victim of crime during this holiday season. Operation Freeze Out Holiday Crime will consist of the following:
DPD will work with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office in serving arrest warrants on those that are wanted in the city limits of Douglas to curtail persons from continuing to commit criminal offenses during this holiday season.
Officers will be visible at retail establishments and in downtown Douglas. This includes officers getting being visible inside retail establishments and businesses in Douglas and the downtown area during this holiday season.
Officers will be patrolling neighborhoods and getting out of their vehicles to create a consensual friendly encounter with those walking in our neighborhoods so we can get to know the citizens better and they can get to know their officers better, during this holiday season.
Stay tuned to the @DouglasGAPoliceDepartment Facebook page for upcoming safety tip topics that will include: shopping, children at home, identity theft, strangers at your door, hosting and attending a party. Please remember if you “See Something, Say Something” by reporting suspicious activities by dialing 9-1-1 (crimes that are in the process of being committed) or call the Crime Tip Line at 912-260-3600. With citizens and the police department working together, it can become one of the best holiday seasons ever in Douglas this year.