TUPELO - The economic downturn has put both police and merchants on alert for a possible increase in thefts, and they're taking precautions to keep losses to a minimum.

"I've seen more shoplifting lately than I have in a long time here," said Barbara Fleishhacker, owner of the downtown Main Attraction clothing and gift shop on Main Street.

"We've had lots of it. We love for people to come in and shop, but we don't want to take losses, so we had to add some new security measures to make sure that doesn't happen."

Those measures include new security cameras and sensors.

At nearby Reed's Department Store, displays and merchandise have been moved away from the doors. The mall location also has added sensors.

"The more eyes we have," said Camille Sloan, executive vice president of Reed's, "the better we are."

Although shoplifting tends to increase around the holidays, the recession has helped raise the temptation level. During the 2008 holiday season, The New York Times reported, shoplifting rose 10 percent to 20 percent in many parts of the country.

While retailers make their preparations, law enforcement agencies are doing the same.

Richard Carleton, head of security at The Mall at Barnes Crossing in Tupleo, said most of the work his crew does during the holidays is geared toward helping shoppers.

"We spend a lot of time helping people find their cars, helping kids find their parents, charging batteries and stuff like that," said Carleton. "We do patrol the mall and make sure people are obeying the rules, but we do a lot of work assisting the customers. The police do a great job of helping us outside the mall."

The Tupelo Police Department will kick off Operation Safe Holiday on Nov. 23, an initiative to control and prevent crime in shopping areas, as well as to keep traffic moving.

Capt. Alan Gilbert said the bike patrol will be used during the holidays. The department also has set up a mobile command unit at the mall and will heavily patrol other shopping areas throughout the city.

One of the problems for police will be Tupelo's traffic, particularly the Black Friday logjams.

"We are going to have extra patrols out to make sure traffic flows as quickly as possible," Clayton said, "but the drivers will just have to be patient. That is the only way this is going to be a safe shopping holiday, if everyone is patient and considerate."

Contact Danza Johnson at (662) 678-1583 or danza.johnson@djournal.com