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North Miami Beach Sets Up Special Holiday Task Force

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - In an effort to keep resident and visitors safe during the holidays, the North Miami Beach police department has set up a special Holiday Task Force.

Comprised of street crimes detectives, traffic enforcement officers and plainclothes officers, teams will patrol business districts and residential neighborhoods in marked and unmarked vehicles on the look out for holiday related robberies and burglaries.

Anyone shopping in the city is urged to play it safe. The police department suggests buying the big-ticket items like laptops and televisions last and then taking them straight home.

Never leave valuables in vehicles. If you have to leave items in the car, put them in the trunk. However, be aware that crooks may be able to open the trunk by using a lever inside the car or by popping it with a screwdriver.

Always pay attention to your surroundings as you may be watched and targeted at shopping center parking lots or ATMS, followed home and robbed. If you think you are being followed, the police you suggest driving to the nearest crowded shopping center while giving them a call.

If you go to an automatic teller machine, try to go during the daylight hours. If you must go at night, pick a machine that is well lighted and visible to passing traffic. If anyone is lurking near the machine, pass it up and find another.

When dining out valet parking is nice, but don't be too lax. Never leave your house key with the attendant.

Avoid carrying your checkbook, cash, and credit cards all together in one wallet, because if a thief gets the whole package together, they can cash checks with your identification and run up a large credit card bill in a short amount of time. Carry a limited amount of cash and credit cards with you when you go shopping.

Remember, whether you are leaving the house to go shopping or out for an evening of Holiday parties, lock your doors and windows. Don't leave the drapes open with your presents in plain view. Christmas presents displayed around your tree can be a pretty sight, but can also be quite tempting to burglars. It's better to scatter the gifts around the house, in closets or cupboards, where they can't be so easily seen.

The city's special Holiday Task Force will run through January 3rd, 2016.

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