HPD offers Black Friday safety tips, more officers on patrol

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Hattiesburg Police Department is offering Pine Belt residents last minute tips during the holiday weekend.

Spokesman Lt. Jon Traxler wants to remind the public to be aware of their surroundings during Black Friday.

Lt. Traxler said some Hattiesburg stores will open earlier and more officers will patrol the community to ensure safety.

“Also with this weekend we will have the mobile command post, starting Friday, actually Thursday evening, and it will go all the way until after New Year’s off and on during the days and nights, it will be out there" said Lt. Traxler.

He added, "It will be manned, so if you see it out of a parking lot of a store or something and you need somebody, go directly to the command post.”

Officers want to remind holiday shoppers to lock their car doors in between shopping to avoid auto burglaries.

If residents see anything suspicious they are encouraged to call 911.