With the holiday season in full swing, that also means an uptick in car robberies.

  • OPD enforcing Operation: Holiday Cheer to prevent car robberies
  • Patrols increase in shopping areas, parking lots
  • Cars in residential areas may become targets too

That's why the Orlando Police Department is out enforcing Operation: Holiday Cheer.

That means patrols are strengthened around shopping malls and parking areas, where crimes are more likely to occur.

"Operation: Holiday Cheer runs in a lot of different areas around the city,” said Officer Eddie Rosado of the Orlando Police Department. “It mainly focuses on malls or areas where a lot of shoppers do go out.  It could be the I-Drive and Millenia area."

When you are out in a busy shopping area, especially leaving your car or returning with a big ticket item, you should just assume you are being watched.  However, there are some effective techniques that OPD has to catch criminals.

"The police department might have something that is called a bait vehicle,” said Rosado. “We just set up the cameras and everything, and it can actually lock you inside the vehicle."

Officer Rosado added that because patrols have increased in the main shopping hubs across Orlando, it also means cars in residential areas may become more of a target as criminals avoid the areas with increased police presence — but you can be prepared.

Now besides obviously making sure your car door is locked, there are a few other things that law enforcement wants you to ask yourself:

  1. Are there any sharp objects nearby that could easily be used to break a window?
  2. If you are parked in front of your garage, is your garage door opener in plain sight? If not, that could leave your home vulnerable as well.
  3. Are there any expensive items that are within easy access?
  4. Do you have a lot of change that is easily visible? That might be a target too.

"You might save easily nine to twenty dollars in that area right there,” said Officer Rosado. “They're looking for that target. Criminals will try to open that door.  If that's unlocked, then they go through the glove compartment to see what's in there real quick, and then grab your change from the console.

“How long does it take?” Officer Rosado asked. “I would say thirty seconds they are in and out of your vehicle."