Deterring Theft at Busy Retail Areas in Forth Worth Metro Area

Hurst police officer Tom Miles, a 10-year veteran, visits with employees at Dillard's in North East Mall, where he will work during the holidays as part of increased patrols.

Holiday thieves and burglars beware: Additional patrol officers will be out this season waiting to put the handcuffs on you.

Starting the day after Thanksgiving, more officers will patrol major retail centers throughout Northeast Tarrant County, hoping to deter criminals during one of the worst times for burglaries and thefts.

Police will pay particularly close attention to North East Mall in Hurst, Southlake Town Square, and at least three major retail and restaurant locations in Grapevine, including Grapevine Mills mall.

"We'll have our holiday patrols ready throughout the city," Grapevine police Sgt. Todd Dearing said. "It's just the time of year that we see an increase in property crimes."

Extra officers will patrol at Grapevine Mills, in downtown Grapevine, and in the business district around Texas 114 and Northwest Highway.

Grapevine police will also use their two-story Sky Watch tower at various locations. An officer will sit in the tower, placed in parking lots, and watch for crime. The department began using the tower a year ago.

Generally, the Hurst Police Department has about three to four officers on duty at North East Mall. During holiday weekends, about 15 officers will be on duty. An undisclosed number of off-duty officers will also work at the mall.

"We'll have officers on foot as well as on bicycles," said Richard Winstanley, Hurst assistant police chief.

In Southlake, Department of Public Safety officers will work extra after Thanksgiving at Southlake Town Square and Gateway Plaza. Off-duty officers will also work at those locations, said DPS Lt. Ashleigh Douglas.