Parsons Police Implements Operation Santa Watch
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Date: December 8, 2020
Contact: Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd
Phone: (620) 421-7060
Email: ddodd@parsonspd.com
Bulletin 2020.12.08 Operation Santa Watch Bulletin for Businesses
The Parsons Police Department will implement a new Annual Crime Prevention Mobilization (RPM) in an effort to deter crime and assist shoppers during the holiday season, patrols will begin on Friday, December 11th and run through Thursday, December 31st. Patrols will generally run 7-days a week. Monday through Friday during the late afternoons and early evenings and on Saturdays/Sundays starting around noon.
Officers will usually be in the marked UTV and/or patrol cars in the parking lots of Wal-Mart, Walgreens, King Cash Saver, and the downtown areas on a random patrol basis. Officers will be available to assist shoppers with such things as helping them find their car, jump starting their car if the battery is dead, changing a flat, assisting employees and shoppers by walking them to their car after dark, or any other assistance they can provide.
"This kind of a mobilization has always been instrumental in, not only assisting shoppers with their problems and concerns, but keeping crime to a minimum at a time of year when it is usually on the rise," says Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks. "I've used this program and have seen other agencies employ this outreach in other venues where I was Chief," said Spinks. "This will be the first year we have organized Operation Santa Watch in Parsons and we are very pleased to be able to offer this service to the public."
Parsons Officers are working this special detail to aid the public during the busy holiday season. They are not hired by the stores nor will they be doing security for the stores. However, the presence of law enforcement on the premises is expected to deter crime in the parking lots, as well as reducing car burglaries, thefts, shoplifting and to increase the number of citizens wearing face masks while shopping.
Officers will also be conducting regular visits to all convenience stores in the City during the holiday season to check with store clerks to see if they are experiencing any problems or if they have any special needs.
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