PATROLS ON LOOKOUT FOR SEASONAL THIEVES BE ALERT, SMART, POLICE URGE SHOPPERS.Byline: ERIC LEACH Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. -- When generous shoppers load up their cars with gifts for their friends and family, thieves List of Thieves. Famous
So the Simi Valley Police Department The Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) is the police department of the city of Simi Valley, California. The department currently has over 120 sworn officers, and more than 65 support personnel[1]. The department has a patrol area that covers over 39 square miles. is increasing its patrols of shopping centers shopping center, a concentration of retail, service, and entertainment enterprises designed to serve the surrounding region. The modern shopping center differs from its antecedents—bazaars and marketplaces—in that the shops are usually amalgamated into in the city, including the Simi Valley Town Center Simi Valley Town Center is a shopping center located in Simi Valley, California. The mall opened in 2005 with Macy's and Robinsons-May as anchor stores. The Robinsons-May store was converted into a Macy's Men and Home Store on September 9, 2006. mall. ``Extra shoppers mean added temptations for thieves,'' said Simi Valley police Sgt. Dave Livingstone, who has worked for several years in the past on the bike patrols used to watch over shopping centers at this time of year. ``What happens is people will go Christmas shopping and leave the packages in their cars as they go from one store to another,'' he said. ``Some people even leave plasma screen televisions and PlayStations in their cars in plain view.'' The thieves sometimes victimize people inside the stores, said Livingstone, recalling a case in which someone grabbed a woman's purse while she was shopping at a Simi Valley department store right around Christmas. Livingstone, who was on the bike patrol at the time, caught the thief behind the store with the purse, which was returned to the victim intact. The extra patrols at shopping centers this year include reserve officers, members of the city's Citizens on Patrol program, the Bicycle Patrol Team and regular officers in their patrol cars. The city has 16 officers trained to work on the bike patrol, and they usually work in shifts of six officers, in teams of two, wearing shorts and polo shirts with their badges. ``They are out there in the mall regularly, and any place there are a lot of shoppers,'' Livingstone said. ``The bike patrol is very helpful because you can move in and out of the parking lots and blend in Verb 1. blend in - blend or harmonize; "This flavor will blend with those in your dish"; "This sofa won't go with the chairs" blend, go fit, go - be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired; "This piece won't fit into the puzzle" with the surroundings. The thieves can't see you coming, and you're more maneuverable ma·neu·ver n. 1. a. A strategic or tactical military or naval movement. b. A large-scale tactical exercise carried out under simulated conditions of war. Often used in the plural. 2. .'' Vicki Sherman, marketing director for the Town Center, said the 600,000-square-foot mall has its own security that works closely with the Simi Valley Police Department. Mike Lewis, Simi SIMI Sea Ice Mechanics Initiative SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India SIMI Society of Irish Motor Industry SIMI Smallholder Irrigation Markets Initiative Valley's new police chief, issued a statement announcing the increased holiday patrols and urging shoppers to protect themselves. ``Please remember to remove valuable property from your vehicle and be sure you leave it locked and secure,'' he said. ``It is also advisable ad·vis·a·ble adj. Worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent. ad·vis  a·bil not to leave valuables in plain view while away from your vehicle.'' He urged parents to keep a close eye on their children with the increased holiday crowds and asked everyone to report any suspicious activity immediately. ``Many citizens elect to report possible criminal activity after the fact when they arrive home, which gives a potential suspect time to commit the crime and escape before the police are notified,'' Lewis said. ``It is the combined efforts of the Police Department and the citizens of Simi Valley that make our city a safer place to live and work,'' he said. ``The added patrols, coupled with the citizens' heightened awareness, will result in a brighter holiday season for all.'' eric.leach@dailynews.com (805) 583-7602 |
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