The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office will ring in the holiday shopping season this week with extra patrols and an increased police presence,
St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre announced.
Starting Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27) the Sheriff’s Office will have additional patrols in and around shopping areas of St. John.
“When residents see the flashing blue lights, know that they are meant for maximum visibility and as a deterrent for those with bad intentions,” Sheriff Tregre said.
This time of year has a tendency to attract more shopping-related criminal activity because of larger crowds and extended store hours. However, SJSO will have deputies—and more than 500 highly-effective crime cameras—watching and surveying all areas.
Sheriff Tregre reminds residents to be alert and stay aware of their surrounding at all time, especially in busy areas where thieves and pickpockets target purses and bags left unattended.