Special to the American Press

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office will implement the annual Robbery Prevention Mobilization in an effort to deter crime and assist shoppers in the parking lot of the Prien Lake Mall during the holiday shopping season, which continues through Dec. 26, seven days a week from noon until one hour past mall closing.

There will be an enhanced presence of deputies in the parking lot, as well as manning the CPSO Mobile Command Center located in the parking lot of the mall, near the intersection of Prien Lake Road and Ernest Street.  Deputies, who will be wearing orange Sheriff’s Office traffic vests during the evening hours, will be available to assist shoppers with such things as helping them find their car, jump starting their car if the battery is dead, changing a flat, assisting employees and shoppers by walking them to their car after dark, or any other assistance they can provide.

“The holiday season should be a time of joy, not a time to stress and worry about safety,” Sheriff Stitch Guillory said. “The annual RPM is our way of ensuring shoppers and employees feel secure as they go about their day.  This has proven to deter crime and create a safe environment during the busiest time of year.”

CPSO deputies are working this special detail to provide assistance to the public during the busy holiday season. They are not hired by the mall nor will they be doing security for the mall.

Deputies will also be assisting shoppers and conducting checks in the Southgate Shopping Center on Ryan Street and the shopping areas on Derek Drive.