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Fire destroys apartment building - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

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Millions of Lights.Millions of Memories.This holiday season......Charlotte Motor Speedway transformsinto a winter wonderland! Over 1 million LED lights Celebrity gingerbread houses Bethlehem Village and live Nativity Horse-drawn carriage rides Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus Food vendors Christmas Village Children’s play area … and much more!November 22 – January 2NewsSouthPark(continued from page 1)between 1:30 and 3 p.m. Police did notlist how thieves got into the vehicle.• Thieves stole a GPS unit and smallgold jewelry box, worth $250 combined,after punching out the door lock of a2007 Ford Expedition, causing $400 indamages, between 4:30 and 6 p.m.• Thieves stole a large bag containingpersonal papers and a college text book,worth $120 combined, after shatteringthe window of a 2010 GMC Acadia,causing $600 in damages, between 4:50and 6 p.m.Despite those recent incidents, Sgt.Fred Newell, commander of the South-Park Mall area for the Providence Division,said he’s been pleased with the limitednumber of break-ins since Thanksgiving.He credits part of that to theincreased awareness of shoppers thanksto fliers and pamphlets handed out byofficers in the parking lots.“It’s a common thing that people willgo shopping till their hands are full, goload up the car with thousands of dollarsworth of items and then go back to shopping,”Newell said. “(Thieves) will sit inthe parking lot and watch for that.”Some shoppers have turned around toremove or hide valuables in their vehiclesafter police officers warn them, but plentyof people still don’t, Newell said. Thievesgot away with $3,895 of items, includinga laptop, $300 headphones and an MP3player, from one vehicle Dec. 2 between1 and 3 p.m. in the mall parking lot.“People just get so busy, they just don’tremember,” Newell said.So when shoppers aren’t helping themselves,police have to take up the slack.Officers stationed a watchtower in theparking lot for some time to give thema bird’s-eye view 20 to 30 feet over cars.While that helped, the simple act ofputting more officers into the area hasbeen nice for Newell.Thanks to a Justice Assistance Grant,made possible with federal stimulusfunds, Newell can afford to pay officersovertime to patrol the mall area withoutpulling officers from their regular schedulein other parts of Providence Division.“We’ve been able to have more officersavailable, have more of a presence,”Newell said.Police can combine their extra forceswith some additional help from the mallitself. Though mall officials won’t go intodetails about what security additionsthey’ve made this month, Nicole Kennon,director of marketing and businessdevelopment for the mall, said they’vemade adjustments to deal with one of themall’s busiest times of the year.“We maintain a close working relationshipwith the Charlotte-MecklenburgPolice Department to ensure the appropriatesecurity measures are being takento help provide and maintain a safe environmentat the mall,” Kennon said in ane-mail to South Charlotte <strong>Weekly</strong>. “Thesafety and security of our shoppers andemployees is our top priority…”The mall does ask shoppers to follow afew simple rules to keep safe, like parkingin well-lit areas and shopping witha friend if going to the mall in the evening.Police are pushing the same advice theypromote year-round: Don’t leave valuablesin plain sight in your car, whethergifts or your normal valuables, such as aGPS, and lock the vehicle at all times.For those shoppers too loaded downwith purchases to carry them around,police ask shoppers to take at least oneprecaution to throw off thieves beforethey return to shopping:“At least move your car to a differentspot,” Newell advised. q1013 Technology DriveIndian Trail, NC 28079877-GO-HELMS877-464-3567www.helmsheating.comLicense # 23840To learn more, go to www.Visit<strong>Carolina</strong>Christmas.comor call 800-455-FANS.TIME IS RUNNINGUT!TAX CREDITSenergy-efficient Carrier ® SystemAND REBATESfrom your local utility companies12 Months Interest FREE Financing12 MONTHS INTERESTFREE FINANCINGFREEEvaluationof Current SystemExpires: 12/31/2010877-464-3567www.helmsheating.comPage 10 • Dec. 17-23, 2010 • South Charlotte <strong>Weekly</strong>1225-0028 4.854x12.5.indd 1 11/16/10 1:22:37 PMwww.thecharlotteweekly.com

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