With the holiday shopping season

in full swing, the Fayetteville Police Department has stepped up its presence

at the Fayette Pavilion.

Last year, the department relied

mostly on plainclothes officers for the detail, but this year more uniformed

officers are touring the area in marked patrol units, enforcing traffic

laws and responding to calls for assistance in the area.

"We're trying to get the

patrol side out more this year and be more visible instead of covert,"

said Lt. Beverly Trainor.

The goal of the uniformed presence

is to ward off potential criminals, noted Lt. Jeff Harris.

At the Pavilion, police are

responding to a variety of calls ranging from shoplifting cases to identity

fraud, officers noted. They also cite motorists for fire lane violations,

which are common particularly during rainy periods, said Det. Bob Bautista.

Officers are also using bike

patrols to enhance their presence at the Pavilion, Trainor noted. They

also hand out flyers to shoppers, reminding them of tips to help keep

them from becoming a crime victim.

And now officers are authorized

to enforce traffic violations on Pavilion Parkway, many of which are for

stop sign violations, Trainor said.

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