The San Mateo Police Department is warning shoppers to take extra precautions against theft during the holiday shopping season. 

“With the holidays coming up, normally there’s a lot of shopping involved in that and also thefts go up,” said the Department’s Public Information Officer Jerami Surratt in a video posted on Facebook on Dec. 7. The video was taken at Hillsdale Shopping Center, a mall in San Mateo popular for holiday shoppers. 

The increase in shopping that occurs during the holidays also leads to more cars being broken into as shoppers may leave their purchases in their cars.

“If you’re shopping, take your bags back to the trunk before you go onto the next store,” Surratt said. 

Surratt advises shoppers to be aware of their surroundings, lock their cars and do not leave any valuables visible.

Thefts can be reported by calling (650) 522-7710. In case of an emergency, call 911. 

“Be alert, be safe. Remember, if you see something, say something. Call us,” Surratt said.

Alise is a general assignment reporter with a focus on covering government, elections, housing, crime, courts and entertainment in San Francisco and on the Peninsula. Alise is a Bay Area native from San Carlos. She studied history at University of California, Santa Cruz and first started journalism at Skyline College’s school newspaper in San Bruno. She has interned for Bay City News and for Eesti Rahvusringhääling, or Estonian Public Broadcasting. She has covered everything from the removal of former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus to the divisive battle over the Great Highway on San Francisco’s west side. Please send her any tips.