Since the end

of Thanksgiving the official start of the holiday shopping frenzy Fayetteville

police officers have increased their presence at the Fayette Pavilion

and other retail areas in town.

The officers

have been on the lookout for auto break-ins, shoplifting and other seasonal

crimes, said Lt. Tom Kirkbride of the Fayetteville Police Department.

In addition, the increased presence has led to several drug arrests also,

Kirkbride added.

The operation

has involved both officers on the regular schedule and officers who were

authorized for overtime in an effort to enhance enforcement for the Christmas

holiday season, Kirkbride said.

"The City

of Fayetteville has officers working there during peak times," Kirkbride

said. "Some of those are from regular positions and there are officers

on overtime."

Last week alone,

the department made five shoplifting arrests and another three for forgery,

although it is not known how many of those arrests occurred at the Fayette

Pavilion stores.

Kirkbride said

the increased presence at local retail stores has resulted in several

good arrests and also seems to have had a deterrent effect on crime. Both

uniformed officers and plain clothes officers have been on duty in the

area.

In addition

to patrolling the area, officers also handed out pamphlets encouraging

shoppers to exercise caution to help prevent them from becoming crime

victims over the holidays, Kirkbride said.

"Lots

of people have been thanking us for our efforts," Kirkbride said.

"We have been getting good results from our proactive patrols."

"The holiday

is busy for everybody and crime usually picks up both statewide and nationwide,"

Kirkbride noted. "We're just trying to make sure that does not become

a problem here."