KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is urging shoppers to take the necessary steps to lessen the likelihood of being victims of robbery while conducting financial transactions during the ‘back-to-school’ period.

Head of the JCF Corporate Communications Unit, Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, said that people should avoid taking large sums of cash when conducting transactions.

“Minimise the use of actual cash at this time and go more for a credit card and a debit card. You want to be very clear about where you are going and what is it that you are looking for, so you can sort your cash accordingly. Have an idea of how much you will be spending and where. In that way you can manage the cash and you don’t have to be taking out large sums of money in public,” she added.

Superintendent Lindsay emphasised that people should avoid going into isolated or crowded areas alone and recommended that they leave expensive jewellery, gadgets, phones, and  laptops at home, when possible.

She pointed out that when people leave their goods on car seats, it can encourage people to break into the car and steal the items. Instead, she suggested that shoppers leave their goods in the store where it was purchased and carpool.

“If you need to get additional cash from an ATM, use one that is in a busy area where persons can see you, and one that is well-lit and secured, if you go at night,” she urged.

Superintendent Lindsay also warned that persons should look out for ‘con artists’ (persons who present themselves as victims with sad stories),  beggars, overly helpful persons, people soliciting a drive or asking for directions, especially persons  pretending to know you.

She added that business operators who handle large sums of cash need to be equally cautious.

“Do not direct your employee or employees to travel with large sums of cash to or from the bank. Look out for persons who may be loitering, not shopping,” she advised.

Superintendent Lindsay also urged that business owners use a reputable courier service to transport cash to and from the bank.

“We also encourage that you make arrangements with your local police for them to escort someone with cash to the banking facility, and this is of no cost to the business operators. All we ask is that you make the arrangements and give the officers sufficient time, so that they can plan it within the operational activities for the day,” she said.

Superintendent Lindsay is reminding people to use the panic button on the Stay Alert mobile application to inform the police that they are in distress.

The mobile app may be downloaded from the Google Play Store.