With just a few shopping days left until Christmas, the Selma Police Department is reminding shoppers to be safe while out buying gifts for their loved ones.

Interim Selma Police Chief Johnny King said they haven’t had any incidents involving holiday shoppers so far, and he hopes to keep it that way by giving people tips to follow.

“A lot of times people let their guard down during the holidays, and we’re just asking them to be more vigilant, be careful and watch your surroundings,” King said.

King said shoppers should stick to daytime hours if possible. King said shoppers that are out at night should take a friend or family member with them. Shoppers should avoid wearing fancy jewelry and carrying large amounts of cash. Shoppers should pay for their items with credit cards or check, and if carrying cash, keep it in a front pocket.

“It will help in a lot of instances [shoppers] from being a victim of a crime,” King said. “It’s not 100 percent, but it will make them be more observant, more vigilant and kind of watch out for one another.”

King said people should be aware when leaving the store and going to their vehicle. Shoppers should not overload themselves with bags and boxes, so they can get in their car and watch out for strange people approaching them.

King said the department is also helping out businesses by offering police escorts to make deposits at the bank.

“If they should need an escort from their business to the bank to make a deposit, they should call 874-6611 and wait there until the officer gets there,” King said. “We will meet them at the door and escort them into the bank.”

As for after Christmas, King said people should avoid showing off what they got for Christmas to criminals by not placing boxes by the road.

“We’re asking people to just hold on to boxes or take them to some place and have them shredded,” King said. “Don’t set them out in front of the house because you don’t want to tell somebody you’ve got a 55-inch TV.”

The Selma Public Works Department is placing extra trailers for trash at various locations around the city. They will be located at the old Winn-Dixie parking lot, the old Wal-Mart parking lot, Cedar Park Elementary School, at the corner of Philpot and Plant Street and at the corner of Division Street and Annie Cooper Avenue.

King also suggested avoiding driving alone at night, parking in well-lit areas, not leaving packages or bags in cars and paying attention to surroundings.

King said extra officers will continue to patrol shopping areas until after New Year’s Day.