Lake Charles, Louisiana - The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) is increasing its presence at Prien Lake Mall in Lake Charles for the 2025 holiday shopping season, launching a Robbery Prevention Mobilization that runs from Friday, Nov. 28, through Friday, Dec. 26.
Reserve deputies will provide extra patrols and assistance during the busy Christmas shopping period, when law enforcement agencies typically report higher levels of theft and other crimes in retail areas. The detail is designed both to deter crime and to help shoppers and employees feel more secure as they move to and from the mall.
According to CPSO, the reserve deputies will focus on two main roles: preventing crime and assisting the public with basic safety needs in the parking areas.
On the crime prevention side, deputies will maintain a visible presence in and around the mall, watching for suspicious activity and potential thefts. Their presence is intended to discourage opportunistic crimes such as vehicle burglaries and purse snatching, which often increase when large crowds and busy parking lots give criminals more cover.
Beyond enforcement, the mobilization also includes a range of practical services that address common problems shoppers face in large parking areas. Deputies will be available to:
- Help change flat tires
- Jump dead car batteries
- Walk mall employees to their vehicles after dark
These services are aimed at reducing the time people spend stranded or vulnerable in parking lots, a situation that can make them easier targets for crime. By assisting with vehicle troubles and escorting employees, deputies can both help residents in a direct, hands-on way and maintain a stronger security presence around the mall’s perimeter.
Law enforcement agencies across the country often expand patrols around major shopping centers during the holidays, responding to increased foot traffic, higher cash and merchandise volume, and more vehicles in parking lots. CPSO’s seasonal mobilization at Prien Lake Mall follows this trend, combining preventive patrols with community assistance.
The effort is a response to crime patterns “typically heightened” during the Christmas shopping season. The added deputies are expected to remain on site through Dec. 26, covering the core of the holiday rush and the day after Christmas, when many shoppers return for sales and returns.