Submitted by John Guilfoil on behalf of the Bedford Police Department
Police Chief Robert Bongiorno announces that the Bedford Police Department has begun an aggressive enforcement campaign aimed at providing both an visible and invisible police presence in shopping centers and retail establishments during the holiday season. Operation P.A.C.E. — Pro-Active Community Enforcement — is aimed by preventing and curbing retail theft and shoplifting during the holiday season and beyond.
“Theft is one of the most common and under-reported crimes that takes place in Bedford, and it typically rises during the holiday season, as thieves take advantage of increased crowds and confusion,” Chief Bongiorno said. “But beyond the simple act of stealing from a retail store, we simply do not want these criminals in our community. They bring a host of added problems, including quality of life disruption, drugs, and the potential for robberies and assaults on our residents. Operation P.A.C.E. is in place to show these criminals that we are paying attention and that they should take their business elsewhere.”
Pro-Active Community Enforcement in Bedford is a program that is focused on maintaining the quality of life issues that make Bedford the Community as vibrant and strong as it is today. Enforcement of these laws and bylaws allows the police department to deter future transgressions of the law.
Bedford Police Officers and Investigators will be present and visible within Bedford’s shopping centers during this year’s holiday season. They will be adding another marked cruiser throughout the day, assigned to patrol and be a presence in shopping centers, particularly Bedford’s two main shopping plazas: The large shopping plaza on Great Road near Shawsheen Road, and The Bedford Market Place at 160 Great Road.
“We will be present during high volume shopping times, and we want to be proactive by walking into stores to allow our shoppers and the employees at the multiple commercial shopping locations within our community to interact with the Police Department,” said Bedford Police Lieutenant James Graham. “We will also be present at random, off-peak times, and plainclothes officers will be around at various times throughout the day, in an effort to deter and catch suspects whenever they may attempt to steal.”
Operation P.A.C.E. is also serving as a Community Policing initiative by putting uniformed officers into the community, walking through shopping centers and stores when people are out and about. Officers will be interacting with the community and hopefully providing a level of comfort and security during the holiday season.
If you have any questions or would like to submit a tip to the Bedford Police Department, you are urged to call 781-275-1212. You can also Tweet @BedfordPD or Visit Facebook.com/BedfordPD. You can also email the department at [email protected]. All tips may remain anonymous.
The Bedford Police Department wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!
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