Thieves Take a Holiday From the Malls This Yule

The big drop in crime across Orange County has extended to local shopping malls, where officials report a sharp decline in shoplifting and theft so far this Christmas.

At South Coast Plaza, crime is running about half the normal level for the holidays, with the Westminster Mall and MainPlace/Santa Ana reporting similar findings, police said.

“Normally, crime surges around this time,” said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Dave Hamel, who monitors crime at South Coast Plaza. “We’re not seeing the dramatic upswing in thefts this year. . . . It’s like it isn’t Christmas.”

Police and mall managers say the strong economy and shoppers being more careful with their valuables are the likely reasons for the trend.

Authorities said the eight-year fall in crime across the county is allowing police departments to focus more attention on shoplifting, burglaries and other less serious crimes--including adding patrols and special crime-prevention programs at malls.

“The decrease in crime allows us to look at things we usually don’t have time for,” said Santa Ana Police Sgt. Raul Luna, whose department patrols the MainPlace mall.

At Westminster Mall, police Explorers work as rooftop spotters during the busy week before Christmas. The spotters, communicating by radio, scout the parking lot for suspicious activity or for holiday shoppers who need assistance, said Steven Schwartz, a mall spokesman.

At South Coast Plaza, increased surveillance and plainclothes security guards have reduced crime, Hamel said. Normally, the Police Department deals with about four “serious” crimes a day during the holiday season. This year, the department is averaging about two a day, he said.

Police also say holiday shoppers have become more savvy about watching their belongings and preventing theft.

Ann Crow, a Seal Beach resident who was Christmas shopping at the Westminster Mall, said she follows a few common-sense rules.

“I try to carry everything in front of me, and I’m always very aware of the surroundings, especially when walking to my car,” Crowe said.

She added that if she does go shopping at night, she won’t go alone.

George Moore of Huntington Harbour agreed.

“I always watch over my wallet, and I keep my bags close by me,” Moore said, adding that he doesn’t worry too much about holiday-related crime.

At most malls, police beef up their presence over the holidays.

“We used to go from call to call,” Luna said. “Now you check to see if your radio is working.”