NATCHEZ — Hang the stockings, trim the tree and for goodness sake, lock your doors, clutch your purse and don’t walk alone at night.

Tis the season for increased crime, area law enforcement officials say, but simple steps can help keep you safe.

The crime season got off to a strong start in November, with two purse snatchings in Natchez, one that left an elderly woman hospitalized. Arrests have been made in both cases, and Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said hopefully the small purse-snatching streak is over.

But an armed robbery in a downtown parking lot and several burglaries in Adams County still serve as warning that crime can happen to you.

All area law enforcement agencies have increased patrols, but taking personal precautions is necessary too, Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said.

“We do everything we can to keep the county as safe as humanly possible, but this is the season when crime usually does increase,” Mayfield said.

Toss in a down economy and a tight job market and all the pieces are in place for increased crime, Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell said.

“We all know that the economy is suffering nationwide, and the rural areas have been hit pretty hard,” Maxwell said. “The job market is slim and home mortgages have taken a hit. Naturally, crime rates could climb in this economic atmosphere.”

What you can do

Mullins said some safety tips are redundantly recited because they work.

Park in well-lit areas and avoid carrying large amounts of cash when scurrying through parking lots and streets while holiday shopping, he said.

Vidalia Police Chief Arthur Lewis said safety does come in numbers.

“Get to the store with a friend,” he said. “Try to avoid walking alone to your car when it gets dark outside.”

Maxwell said residents should remove any valuables they are not going to need from their wallets or purses before going shopping.

“You also need to make a list of the credit card numbers and the numbers to call in case they are lost or stolen,” he said.

Staying alert, Maxwell said, is the best defense to avoid being the target of a crime.

“Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially in busy areas where thieves and pickpockets targets purses and bags left unattended,” he said.

In the event that a potentially dangerous situation does arise, Mullins said victims should cooperate to avoid being hurt.

But if a suspect tries to get someone into a car during a robbery situation, Mullins said victims should avoid getting into a car with the perpetrator at all costs.

“Fall down, run, scream — do anything — but never get into a vehicle with a robber,” he said.

Mullins said house alarms work well to prevent house burglaries, as well. Burglars will often run away if they hear an alarm sound, he said.

To avoid having a car burglarized, make sure valuable items are not displayed in plain view because visible personal items, such as cash, purses, guns or laptops encourage car burglars.

Also, Mullins recommends those with expensive stereo equipment in their cars buy a car alarm.

It sounds simple, but Mullins said everyone should lock their cars regardless of where they live.

Car burglaries are an ongoing struggle for the police department because car burglars are often repeat offenders. The maximum sentence for car burglary is seven years in prison, so one burglar can repeatedly cause problems.

Mayfield said since the arrest of Willie “Tight Knight” Knight in the spring, the number of car burglaries in the county has remained low.

Knight, 54, was arrested in September in Jefferson County. Investigators believe he was linked to a string of more than 10 car burglaries in U.S. 61 South neighborhoods.

Mayfield agreed that criminals hate nothing more than sound and light. Installing alarms and keeping residences well-lit can discourage burglars.

Mayfield said residents should be aware that hunting camps can be popular targets for burglaries during the holidays. These types of burglaries are difficult to investigate because it may be weeks or months before the camp’s owners discover their camp has been burglarized.

Mayfield said crime increases during the holidays perhaps because criminals know most people have been shopping and are bound to have valuable gifts around the house.

“Everybody knows Christmas presents are there in a neat little pile for (burglars) to get,” Mayfield said.

He said people who commit property crimes during the holidays are doing so because the shopping season is a good opportunity, not because they are especially needy.

“Don’t think anybody in this community steals because they are hungry,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield also shared tips for residents planning to leave town for the holidays.

“Let a neighbor you can trust know, so they can watch out for you,” Mayfield said.

Asking a neighbor to pick up the newspaper and collect the mail to remove them from plain view can help disguise a vacant house, Mayfield said.

Turning on lights inside at night can also help, if residents feel comfortable asking their neighbors to go inside to flip a few switches, he said.

What they are doing

Law enforcement officers will be out in greater numbers, hoping to help you stay safe.

Mullins said some NPD officers will patrol in police cars and others will be in unmarked cars and plain clothes.

“But we’re there,” Mullins said.

Mayfield said sheriff’s office deputies have lists of times when all the local business close, and deputies will be making an effort to patrol during those time for the safety of employees leaving work.

Mayfield said employees leaving work with cash deposits should be extra careful, and those employees can feel free to call the sheriff’s office to escort them safely to the bank or their residences.

Maxwell said residents who leave town for the holidays, can call the sheriff’s office and ask to be put on a patrol list.

“We all have a tendency to think that crime happens to other people. But, this is not the case,” Maxwell said. “It can happen to any of us. And, it’s up to us to do what we can to safeguard our homes and ourselves at all times of the year.”