Don't be a victim

Christmas is supposed to be a time of year that brings out the best in people.

Unfortunately, it also can be a time that brings out the worst.

Every year, police say they start to see a rise in crime as the Christmas holiday approaches, from petty theft and vehicle break-ins to burglaries. But when you head out to shop Friday, or anytime during the holiday season, there are some things you can do to better protect yourself.

"We always tell people to not leave anything in plain sight," said Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton.

Don't leave things like electronics, a purse, or even loose change laying in your car where people can see them, as they can make for an inviting target.

And when you make purchases at stores, don't put them on display in your car.

Capt. Rick Turner of the Gaffney Police Department advises storing purchases, especially big ticket items, in your trunk. And if you don't have a trunk, at least try to cover the items so they're not visible.

When you're shopping inside a store, Turner advises that women shouldn't keep their pocketbooks in their carts.

And when leaving a store, Sheriff Blanton suggested that you should act as if it were raining. By that he meant you should have your car keys in your hand, ready to open the door of your vehicle, without having to put all of your purchases down so you can root through your purse or pockets.

Avoid carrying greenbacks if you can, too. Blanton suggested carrying as little cash as possible, since a credit or bank card can be cancelled if lost or stolen.

When you park, Blanton and Turner both recommended finding a well-lit location. "Be aware of your surroundings," Blanton said. "If you pull into a lot and see someone standing there looking suspicious, go to another parking place or lot."

AAA-Carolinas adds that it pays to risk door dings by parking your vehicle in areas with the most foot traffic, such as near mall entrances, since the witnesses deter theft attempts.

To help with safety and security, the Gaffney Police Department will have both uniformed and plain-clothed officers on foot patrolling in major retail areas like the Prime Outlets — Gaffney.

Security won't be the only concern, however, as traffic will likely cause some headaches on Black Friday. Turner said Gaffney Police and the Highway Patrol will be out in full force keeping an eye on traffic safety and control, too, around major shopping areas.

If traffic is a concern for Black Friday shoppers, Lance Cpl. Jeff Gaskin of the South Carolina Highway Patrol recommended that shoppers may want to consider alternate routes to popular shopping destinations and to allocate sufficient travel time. Shoppers have to expect that traffic and crowds will be part of the experience.

Also, he cautioned you should be prepared for the fatigue that can affect driving if you've been camping out to hit the stores for early morning bargains.