November 29, 2011 - Houston police officers and retailers comprising the Greater Houston Loss Prevention Alliance today (Nov. 29) kicked off the third annual "Safe Shopping Starts with YOU" holiday safety campaign with the first phase of the campaign targeting prevention of car burglaries.

At a news conference at the Kroger at 1035 North Shepherd, HPD Assistant Chief John Trevino reiterated that shoppers, as well as all citizens, can put a dent in the numbers of car break-ins by taking very simple steps.  "If you just lock your cars and hide your valuables, that would help drive down our numbers of burglaries of motor vehicles (BMVs) during the holidays and year round," Chief Trevino said. 

HPD officers distributed dozens of BMV report cards on shoppers' windshields throughout the parking lot and noted a number of vehicles in which doors were left unlocked.  A photo of an officer at one such vehicle and the ensuing failing report card are attached to this news release.

The "Safe Shopping Starts with YOU" campaign is sponsored by the HPD and six retailers of the Greater Houston Loss Prevention Alliance - Kroger, H-E-B, Randalls, Walmart, Fiesta and Target.  The campaign aims to provide shoppers and citizens with crime prevention tips to help minimize their chances of becoming victims.  BMVs are the most preventable of crimes when citizens take steps to deter would-be burglars from targeting their cars.

Three more campaign events are planned during the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday.