Conway City Council approved funding to continue Operation Shop Secure, which increases law enforcement presence in high shopping areas throughout the holiday season on Nov. 8. 

Conway Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Lacey Kanipe, said the program helps everyone.

“It helps promote safety for shoppers as well as store employees. Our officers patrol the parking lots until all businesses have closed and employees have gone home for the evening,” Kanipe said. 

The funds approved were to cover overtime pay amounting to $60,000 for the officers who are working longer hours to run Operation Shop Secure. The motion to approve the funding passed 6-0. 

“Conway Police Department officers are stationed at some of Conway’s busiest shopping centers to try and discourage potential vehicle break-ins and promote safety for shoppers,” Kanipe said. 

Conway shoppers have previously responded to Operation Shop Secure positively and the program even brings in out-of-city shoppers. 

City council member Shelia Isby, representing Ward 4 position 2, said she likes the safety the program provides for traveling shoppers.

“That presence makes our shoppers safe and I’ve even heard of people that come from Little Rock here to shop primarily for that reason, so it is great,” Isby said.

Operation Shop Secure is nothing new to Conway shoppers. 

Kanipe said, “The City Council generally approves funding for Shop Secure as it is an annual operation that the Conway Police Department participates in.”

Some of the areas that will see an increase in law enforcement presence include the Conway Commons and Lewis Crossing Shopping Center. 

Police Chief William Tapley said he appreciates the program.

“It started way before I got here, so I can’t take credit for it, but it is absolutely a great program,” Tapley said.

Mayor Bart Castleberry said, “It’s a good program.” 

The program is only during the winter holiday season due to the increase in store traffic preparing for Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas.

“A lot of shopping occurs during the holiday season. Stores offer many deals which increases the volume of shoppers, traffic and crime,” Kanipe said. 

Shoppers can expect to see an increase in police presence starting now throughout December.