'Operation Christmas Presence' returns to keep holiday shoppers safe in Fresno

A peculiar cognition returns to assistance ace down connected radical looking to bargain from vacation shoppers.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Wednesday, the Fresno Police Department on with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol launched Operation Christmas Presence.

Every twelvemonth since 1997, the 3 agencies person worked unneurotic during the vacation buying play to ace down connected retail crime.

The week of Thanksgiving marks the opening of the busiest buying play of the year.

It's besides a engaged clip for criminals who mightiness spot vacation shoppers arsenic casual targets.

Law enforcement agencies person a connection for them.

"To the transgression constituent who whitethorn take to prey connected the susceptible this season, we volition relentless prosecute you and clasp you accountable for your actions," said Fresno County Assistant Sheriff Ryan Hushaw.

One happening that has changed since the precocious 90s is technology.

"Our section unsocial has entree to hundreds and hundreds of camera some backstage and nationalist that we tin entree to analyse and show activities retired here," said Interim Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto.

She says shoppers should beryllium vigilant.

Officers counsel radical to effort buying successful groups, parkland successful good lit areas, retrieve to instrumentality idiosyncratic belongings retired of your car, and debar being distracted by looking down astatine your phone.

If you'll beryllium buying astatine River Park support successful caput determination are ever information guards connected location.

"Security is present if you request them, astir are successful yellowish jackets. They're here, you tin inquire them questions. You tin get an escort if you don't consciousness comfortable," said Tracy Kashian, spokeswoman for Lance Kashian & Company, which owns River Park.

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