Hawaiʻi Police Department
Hilo Community Policing Section
Lieutenant William Derr
Phone: (808) 961-2350
Media Release
With the holiday shopping season getting underway, Hawai‘i Island police are offering shopping and mail safety tips to prevent Hwai‘i Island residents from being victimized.
Mail Safety Tips
- Install locked mailboxes at your residence to deter theft of incoming mail.
- Drop off outgoing mail at a secure United States Postal Service drop box, or post office.
- Opt for delivery alerts via text or email from the company you ordered from, so your package won’t be sitting on your doorstep for an extended period.
- If possible, install and use a door camera to help deter thieves and provide video surveillance to police should you fall victim to a porch pirate.
Stay Safe While Shopping
- Keep your purse or handbag with you at all times.
Leaving handbags or purses unattended in shopping carts, even for only a few seconds, can provide thieves an opportunity to steal your handbag and its contents. Shoppers should maintain their bag on their person, with the strap placed over their shoulder and bag positioned on the opposing side and with the enclosures zippered or snapped closed.
- Remain vigilant of your surroundings and activities when out shopping.
This also applies when shoppers are transferring items from their shopping cart to their vehicle. If you plan to do more shopping, itʻs a good practice to conceal your purchases in your vehicle so it doesn’t draw the attention to would-be thieves.
- Make sure you always secure your vehicle, do not leave valuables in your vehicle, and whenever possible, park in well-lit areas.
ATM Safety
- While using an ATM to withdraw money or making deposits, make sure you conceal your PIN (personal identification number), as well as use your body to conceal your screen activities.
- When at an ATM machine, immediately place your cash withdrawal in your bag, wallet, or pocket prior to leaving the ATM. Many ATMs have mirrors that allow users to see individuals behind them and it’s suggested that you use them while using the ATM.
Always be aware of your surroundings. If you witness suspicious activity or may have been a victim of theft or fraud, report it immediately by calling the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.