Staying Safe at the Grocery Store
Last year, an Arizona man was caught on surveillance video trying to leave the grocery store with a woman’s shopping cart with her infant in the carseat inside. Luckily the woman realized right away and chased him down. Earlier this year, a woman was kidnapped from the parking lot of a grocery store in South Carolina. While stranger kidnappings are the exception, both of these cases expose the need for increased security and diligence when shopping.
The more common threat at the grocery store is theft or robbery. A “shopper” slips a wallet out of an open purse sitting in the front of a shopping cart while the owner is distracted. The victim might not even realize until they reach the checkout and their wallet is missing. Another method is to steal the purse while the shopper is loading the groceries into the back of the car. Or they may hover nearby when you are entering your PIN at the payment counter or if you get cash back, follow you to your next destination and rob you there.
Stay Diligent
The criminals are working hard which means the stores and shoppers have to work harder at stopping them in their tracks. Here are some tips for being safe when shopping.
- Choose the store wisely. Talk to the store manager about what they are doing to keep the store and parking lot safe. Do they have surveillance cameras (that work)? Is there a security patrol in the parking lot? If the answer to those questions is “no,” it is time to find a new store.
- Never leave your bag unattended. As safe as it might feel to just lean over to grab a produce bag or check the egg carton, it only takes seconds for an expert to grab your stuff. Whether they take your whole purse or just ease your wallet or phone out, it can happen in the blink of an eye.
- When possible, shop without kids. In addition to making your shopping time shorter, going without the kids means you are less distracted. Getting in and out of the car will be quicker and smoother and make you less vulnerable.
- Skip the big purse. Even better than watching your bag like a hawk is wearing it. A cross-body or wristlet is a safer bet than anything that needs to ride in the cart.
- Be aware of your surroundings and people who are out of place. If you see the same person on every aisle, it may just be a coincidence but it may not. Try skipping a few aisles and see what happens. Also, if someone does not have a shopping cart, basket or any items in their hands, that is a red flag. Trust your instincts if something feels off.
- Stay off your phone. Some see the grocery store as an opportunity to catch up with friends on the phone or listen to music or a podcast. Do not let these activities distract you away from keeping yourself and your items safe. A thief looks for what they think is an easy target and being distracted is one of their top criteria!
We Can Help!
While we can’t be with you all the time, we can help you to secure your home or business. Call us today at 281-506-8466 or visit us online for more information about our security solutions.
Image by Daniel Albany from Pixabay
