Law enforcement agencies join forces to fight holiday crime
What is often coined the most wonderful time of the year is also one of the busiest times of year for burglaries, but three law enforcement agencies are teaming up to change that.
The Lone Star High Initiative Task Force will include the Texas Department of Public Safety, Round Rock Police Department and Pflugerville Police Department.
Between now and December 23 and again from the 29th to New Year’s Day, shoppers in Williamson County can expect to see more officers on patrol.
“Your chances will greatly increase this weekend or next of getting arrested or stopped for breaking the law,” said Sgt. Robbie Barrera with the Texas DPS.
Marked and unmarked patrol vehicles will focus on one area in particular, shopping centers.
“During the holiday season you see a spike in residential burglaries, vehicle burglaries, you also see the vehicle burglaries in shopping centers,” said Lt. Oscar Lopez with the Pflugerville Police Department.
Officers said while they will be keeping a close watch on shoppers and their cars, the best way to prevent theft of something valuable is to follow Pflugerville police's motto.
“Drop it and lock it. Make sure that it's out of sight,” Lopez said.
When boots on the ground won't cut it, officers in Round Rock and Pflugerville will also be able to turn to an eye in the sky.
“During the initiative we also have our DPS Air Unit 100 in the air and that's to support our ground units,” Barrera said.
“So with having air support, if we do have an incident that we need to respond to, it provides that immediate surveillance from above that they can help direct our officers on the ground to where they need to go,” said Lopez.
Officers will also be on the lookout for unsafe drivers.
“We're focusing on the traffic portion of things also. We're wanting to be out there to remind people slow down, stay off your phones, make sure you're wearing your seatbelts and that your little ones are in their car seats,” Lopez said.
Because even with an increased law enforcement presence in the area, officers encourage everyone to take necessary precautions so they can make it home for the holidays.