This is the fourth year of this campaign in which the Houston Police Department is partnering with retailers to prevent crime during the holidays. HPD Chief Charles McClelland says they've seen less theft in parking lots during peak shopping season as a result.
On Wednesday morning officers checked cars at random in the Walmart parking lot in the Heights. Each vehicle got a report card and what we learned is some folks still aren't getting the message.
Officer John Obenhaus explained, "This person failed because they have a bag full of unknown items in there and a potential thief would see that as something that could be of value and take that."
Driver Patty Baron promised to change her way next time.
"Make sure that bag's in the trunk," she said.
HPD has great tips on how to stay safe during the holidays -- whether it's your car or yourself in parking lots or inside stores. More than anything else, they advise shoppers to focus on their surroundings and not get sidetracked.
