This time of year taxes shoppers and merchants alike but there's another group of people whose abilities are also tested. Those whose job it is to make sure the goods that go out the door are paid for.

During the year the mall is protected by not only their security team, but the New Hartford Police Department. With so many shoppers expected for the last minute rush patrols have increased.

Stationed inside the mall, the New Hartford Police Department says their job is to maintain a presence, and deter any mischief in the mall. Police say that is why most crimes happen outside the walls of the mall and in people’s vehicles.

Some suggestions to avoid theft include:

> Keeping your shopping bags covered while parked in the parking lots.

> Keep your purse locked in the car and carry your cash in your pockets while shopping.

> If you do bring in your purse do not leave it in the shopping cart

> When you’re leaving a store or the mall keep your purse underneath your coat, so it can not get snatched.

Police say most crime complaints that come from insider the mall are for shop lifters inside stores. Vary rarely are they for purse snatchings or other types of robberies of customers