WASHINGTON — As another holiday shopping season begins, Fairfax County is
deploying its undercover team into the malls. This holiday
shopping season, police are asking shoppers to be extra-vigilant, saying crime
in the area has jumped.
They are called the Christmas Anti-Theft Team, or as Fairfax County Police Lt.
Chuck Riddle refers to them, the CATT team.
“We’re taking additional officers from regular duties or extra duties, such as
our neighborhood patrol unit or bike teams, and we’re putting them in the
mall,” Riddle says.
He says the 25-officer CATT team is reorganized every year
to deter seasonal crimes such as larceny, fraud and theft.
“In the McLean district, we will have at least a dozen officers patrolling
Tysons I and Tysons II,” Riddle says.
While the program is not new to the county, Riddle says the Tysons area has
seen an uptick in crime for 2014. It’s something he attributes to the arrival
of the Silver Line.
“Since we started operations on the Silver Line on July 26, we’ve seen a
tremendous increase in calls for service as well as criminal arrests,” Riddle
says.
It’s a conclusion that doesn’t add up to shopper Darien Salas: “I don’t know
why the Silver Line would add that to the area. So I’m surprised
to figure out that that’s happening.”
Fairfax County’s Urban Team, which Riddle runs, has seen an increase in
larcenies, shoplifting, ID
fraud and other crimes related to retail. Violent crime has not increased,
Riddle says.
In 2013, the McLean CATT team arrested 72 people, charged 107 felonies, 108
misdemeanors, and recovered more than $46,817 in stolen
property, during the holiday shopping season.
Police in Prince William and Fairfax counties are asking shoppers to be
smart during their trips and keep in mind that thieves thrive on distraction.
“You should not have your head buried in your phone. You should be up looking
around and be aware of the people around you,” he says.
More tips for shoppers from Prince William County Police:
- Do not carry large amounts of cash, or more than two credit cards.
- Wallets should be carried in a front pants pocket, rather than in a rear
pants pocket or a jacket. - Consolidate purchases into one or two large shopping bags so you can keep
track of everything. - Never leave your purchases unattended, even for a minute.
- Try to not walk around shopping areas, banks and convenience stores alone.
- Walk in well-lighted areas and avoid dark, unlit shortcuts.
- While using an ATM, look around from time to time and be aware of what’s
happening around you. If anything suspicious happens, immediately cancel your
transaction and leave.
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