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With the start of the holiday shopping season, Miami-Dade authorities strengthened a broad security operation this Friday to prevent thieves from turning Black Friday and Christmas into a headache for thousands of families, including the large Cuban community in South Florida, which takes advantage of this time to send gifts and assistance to their loved ones.
According to Univision 23, the county sheriff, Rosie Cordero-Stutz, launched the campaign “Grinch Busters” at Dadeland Mall, which includes an increase in uniformed and undercover officers monitoring shopping centers, parking lots, and residential areas.
His message was clear: criminals are lurking. "Stay aware of your surroundings, don’t get distracted by your phone or searching for your keys, keep bags and gifts out of sight," he warned.
Local 10 reported that Cordero-Stutz emphasized basic yet crucial measures such as parking only in well-lit areas, avoiding carrying large amounts of cash, keeping the car locked, and securing personal belongings. For those making online purchases, the sheriff recommended meeting only at police stations if they need to meet with a seller.
The operation also responds to recent events. Following a violent robbery at Dolphin Mall earlier this month, the Sweetwater police set up a mobile station in the shopping center. There, Officer Orlando Fleites explained that the agents are looking for signs of suspicious behavior, such as people loitering among cars or sitting in a vehicle for too long.
His warning to buyers was clear: do not let your guard down. "Someone could be following you," he cautioned.
This concern is compounded by new criminal tactics reported by the Secret Service, which warned of scammers who call, send messages, or emails pretending to be stores or banks in order to obtain personal information or payments.
In a recent case, criminals manipulated a man into withdrawing nearly $60,000, believing he was protecting his money, according to documents cited by local media.
For many Cuban families in Miami-Dade, these dates mean working extra hours, saving, and juggling to send a package to the island or prepare to receive visitors. The fear of theft not only involves losing purchases but also the effort of an entire year.
Authorities repeat a basic but vital recommendation: if something seems suspicious, report it immediately. And above all, do not underestimate the real-life "Grinches" who seek to take advantage of any carelessness during a time that should be dedicated to family, reunions, and hope.
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