Ybor City Season Safety by Officer Sean Mahabir
Ybor Watch https://www.facebook.com/yborcitybusinesswatch?fref=ts
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year….right around the corner! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by. Well, with the holidays comes crowds, good cheer, gifts, and mostly everyone’s favorite pastime…spending money. Ybor City is a great place to be….great people and great events….however, I wanted to remind you that there’s always a handful of “Grinches” out there.
Please be safe and turn on your crime radar…there are those that prey on individuals that are too busy to remember the simple rules of being safe. Here are some reminders for everywhere, not just for Ybor City…please pass this along to your employees, family, and friends. I’ll send bits and pieces of safety tips throughout the season if we are seeing any crime trends. Ybor City continues to have a very low crime rate…let’s keep it that way!
- While out and about, present an alert appearance. Be on Guard!
Be aware of your surroundings; scan the area with your eyes/ears from time to time. Avoid concentrating so hard on shopping or work that you fail to keep track of your surroundings, others near you, or your personal property.- Grip carried items firmly and avoid leaving them unattended.
- Carry minimal cash and valuables, wear minimal jewelry.
- Get off your cell phone! Concentrate going from point A to point B. (work place to vehicle, mall to vehicle etc.)
- Shop with friends or relatives if possible; there IS safety in numbers. As you shop, be alert in crowded places. Among pickpockets’ favorites are malls, jammed aisles, elevators, and public transportation stops and vehicles. Carry the day’s most expensive purchases closest to your body, and don’t carry so much you lose the ability to react quickly.
- When parking…roll up the car windows, lock the vehicle, take the keys, and insure your valuables are concealed (preferably in the trunk). During hours of darkness, park and walk in lighted areas to the extent possible. Keep your wallet, purse, and any other valuables on your person or otherwise out of sight, NOT on the seat next to you. If you must leave valuable items in your car while out and about, place items out of sight before reaching your destination or move them inconspicuously. This includes packages, backpacks, gym bags, GPS units, MP3 players, and so forth. Someone may be watching when you put items under/behind a seat or throw something over them. An opportunistic thief is on the lookout for “trunk-packing”, and can break into your car the minute you’re out of sight. So, be aware of your surroundings before you place valuables in your trunk.
The panhandlers are going to be in full effect and it’s important that our eyes and ears are wide open. Remember, it’s illegal to panhandle in Ybor City, please don’t hesitate to call the police. (Ybor City Flyer attached)
Do me a favor….please reply to this email…say HI! This is going out to over 250 emails in Ybor City! Let me know how things are going. If you’d like me to come by your business, organization, neighborhood group etc. and discuss safety awareness with your employees, members, and friends….call me and let’s schedule a time.
Stay Thirsty My Friends!
Sean Mahabir, Police Officer – Ybor City Liaison
Tampa Police Department
District 3
3808 North 22nd Street
Tampa, FL 33610
813-242-3800
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