Shoppers at Mt. Juliet's Providence MarketPlace and Paddocks shopping developments can expect to see more men and women in blue on "Black Friday" as the Mt. Juliet Police Department (MJPD) kicks off Operation Safe Shopper - an initiative to help deter crime, increase response times and alleviate traffic congestion during the busy holiday shopping season.

As part of Operation Safe Shopper, MJPD's Crime Suppression Unit and other members of the department will be in marked and undercover vehicles, on foot and on bicycles to raise law enforcement visibility and promptly respond to calls for service in the shopping centers as well as surrounding areas. Operation Safe Shopper will run from Nov. 26 through Dec. 31 throughout the holiday season.

"Because the number of crimes and complaints often rise the day after Thanksgiving throughout the peak holiday shopping season, we'll be increasing patrols seven days a week," said Lieutenant Keith Youmans, MJPD's Patrol Commander.

Community Policing Director Cpl. Tyler Chandler added, "It's our goal that Operation Safe Shopper will keep people even safer as they choose to spend time in one of Tennessee's best and safest communities. We hope the time that visitors spend in our community is a positive experience."

In addition, the Mt. Juliet Police Department has taken steps to ease traffic congestion around the Interstate 40 shopping hub. The timing of the traffic light sequencing has been adjusted for all intersections near Providence MarketPlace and Paddock shopping centers.

MJPD reminds all residents and visitors that there are alternate routes to get in and out of Providence MarketPlace. The alternate route you choose may get you to your destination even quicker. You can view those routes on the MJPD website.

Police offer the following holiday shopping safety tips:

• Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Park in well-lighted spaces, lock car doors and place packages out of sight in the trunk or underneath seats.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card if possible.
• Carry purses close to the body, not dangling by the straps.
• Put wallets in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
• Supervise children at all times. Teach children to go to a police officer or security guard if they get lost or separated.
• Take a holiday inventory. The holidays are a good time to take photos or videos of items in your home.

Because traffic also increases around the shopping centers during the holidays, police are also advising shoppers to take heed of the following driving tips:

• Don't block intersections. Blocking intersections causes frustrating and unsafe back-ups; that's why it's against the law. When the traffic signal turns yellow, avoid trying to beat the upcoming red light and pulling into and blocking busy intersections. Instead, drop back and wait for the next green light. When traffic lights are green, make sure there is adequate room to completely cross the intersection.
• Don't run red lights. Running a red light can have deadly consequences. As a result, Mt. Juliet has seven red-light cameras designed to deter red-light offenders. Red-light citations carry a $50 fine with an additional penalty if the fine is not paid within a specified period. Violators who run a red light and are cited by a police officer can face a higher fine as well as insurance points.
• Contact the Mt. Juliet Police Department in case of any accidents. If the accident is minor without injury, motorists should move their vehicles out of the travel lane and into a parking lot or onto the shoulder and call Mt. Juliet Police at (615 754-2550. For accidents involving injuries, motorists should call 911.
• Watch for pedestrians. Maintain a safe speed in parking lots and be on the lookout for shoppers exiting vehicles and walking to stores.
• At stop signs, come to a complete stop behind the white stop lines and not in the crosswalk. Especially when turning right on red, remember that a full stop behind the stop bar is necessary to give time to look both ways before proceeding. Look not only for cars but also for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Always use a turn signal to prevent accidents. A turn signal alerts motorists of your intended action and helps prevent rear-end crashes, which is why it's the law.
• Be patient. There will be a record number of motorists and pedestrians, so a little holiday cheer will go a long way for safety.

For everyone's safety, motorists can expect strict enforcement of these and other traffic laws as the Mt. Juliet Police Department works around the clock to make sure everyone has safe and happy holidays.