Tulsa Police Patrol To Keep Shoppers Safe

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TULSA, OK – With Black Friday behind us, the holiday shopping season is in full swing.

Tulsa Police and Police Reserves are out in full force to protect shoppers and their presents. With Operation Safe Shopper, they are patrolling store parking lots to make sure Christmas shopping goes smoothly.

"We're watching the Tulsa Promenade area, Utica Square, Tulsa Hills and the 71st shopping area near Woodlands Hills," said Officer Bruce Horgen, Tulsa Police.

The program kicked off on Black Friday. Officer Bruce Horgen says the holiday help comes from the Riverside Division.

"The fulltime officers are paid with a federal grant and the reserve officers are 100 percent volunteer," said Officer Horgen.

The officers are on the lookout for anything suspicious, as well as handicap and fire lane violators.

"Predominantly we are looking for things that aren't fitting in out here. People who don't look like they are shoppers or people who are not acting like shoppers that may be trying doors or looking to break into vehicles," said Officer Horgen.

Officers say to prevent break-ins, don't leave exposed packages in your car and take your purse with you or put it in the trunk before you leave your house.

Officer Horgen says the Tulsa Police Reserves will have donated close to 100 hours a day. Last year officers working the Safe Shopper program in the Riverside Division area handled 84 calls, wrote 165 citations, worked 13 collisions and made 18 arrests.

11/26/2009  Related Story: Safe Shopper Program Underway In Tulsa