YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Police Department will be stepping up efforts to reduce retail thefts in the city in the coming weeks because such crimes increase around the holidays.

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown and Police Chief Carl Davis were among the speakers at a press conference today at the police station to warn thieves that the police department will be watching — sometimes in plain clothes.

“Local business owners have to be active and engaged in their own safety plan, and we want to talk about how we can be a part of that,” the mayor said.

The mayor and chief met with local business owners over lunch recently to talk to them.

As for shoppers, Brown reminded them to “be aware of your surroundings” to make yourself and your family safe.