help arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;”>The Simi Valley Police Department would like to remind the public to keep a watchful eye on their purses and backpacks while shopping.Thieves will look for people who are temporarily distracted or not paying attention, these thieves remove your wallet, cell phone or other valuables. This crime is popular among those thieves who target cash, credit cards, personal checks and identification cards. Before you realize it’s gone, the thieves are making purchases with your credit cards and/or checks.

The Simi Valley Police Department would like to offer the following crime prevention tips:
• Never leave your purse or backpack unattended and always zip them closed.
• Use a key chain clip or carabineer to attach your purse or backpack to the shopping cart. You can also use the shopping cart’s child safety belt to attach your purse securely. The Simi Valley Police Department is giving away free key chain clips at the stations front desk, located at 3901 Alamo Street, Simi Valley.
• Carry only the cash and credit/debit cards that you know you need. If your wallet is lost or stolen, you only lose that amount of cash and only need to make a few calls to cancel your cards.
• If your purse or backpack is stolen, notify the police immediately and then call the financial institutions to cancel your credit/debit cards and checks.
• If you see people lurking around in or around the store, alert store employees or contact the Simi Valley Police Department at (805) 583-6950.

For additional Crime Prevention information, please contact the Simi Valley Police Department’s Crime Prevention Specialist, Jean-Marie Maroshek at [email protected] or (805) 583-6276.

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