All good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, December means the end of my time in the Community Liaison Constable position. The good news is that I will be replaced by a better version and that I will remain in the area as a Beat officer. December also brings holidays and shopping. Here are a few things to remember during the holiday season.

When parking at the shopping mall, choose a well-lit area. Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended. Lock the doors and close the windows to your vehicle. If you must leave packages in your vehicle, place them out of sight. Place shopping bags in the trunk. If you have an SUV, cover your property with a blanket. Do not make yourself vulnerable by carrying excessive amounts of bags. Remember to check the back seat before entering your car.

It is also important not to leave your credit cards in your vehicle. Do not have more credit cards than needed and always know where they are. Make sure that you do not leave your PIN number with your cards. Make sure not to share your PIN numbers and remember to change it often.

Keep your PIN secure by shielding the pin pad when you type it in. Keep the card in sight when it is being used so that it is not swiped twice. Examine the pin pad in order to make sure that it has not been tampered with.

If you lose your card, contact the card company and police. Remember to notify the credit bureau so that they can flag your account and prevent fraudulent charges to your card. Check your statements to make sure there are no suspicious charges.

Enjoy the holidays and stay safe. I look forward to working with you once I am in my new position as a beat officer. I will still be available at samuel.sanson@edmontonpolice.ca.