JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — For over 20 years, the Jacksonville Police Department has organized an annual holiday task force aimed at decreasing crime in busy shopping areas around the holidays.

“If anybody’s doing anything wrong or if anybody’s, you know, stealing anything, a lot of times we’re right here,” said Sergeant Paul Ehrler.

Ehrler is the head of Jacksonville’s holiday task force.

“I kind of like going around telling people what we’re doing out here, cause you see us a lot,” Ehrler said.

The Christmas shopping season is in full swing now that Thanksgiving has passed. Ehrler and his team are here to make sure things run smoothly. He says it’s all about responding quickly, being an active presence and getting to know the community.

“We get approached by a lot of people too who ask us, you know, questions about police work, what we’re seeing with the public,” Ehrler said. “Being out in public, people get to see us. People get to know us.”

Talking to people is his favorite part of the job. Ehrler has wanted to be a police officer ever since he was a teenager.

“I really had a gravity towards it,” Ehrler said. “It was kind of like God was pushing me towards it even when I was younger.”

Now, after a full career, he’s planning on retiring soon, but not before seeing another year with the holiday task force.

Jewelry stores are a frequent stop on Sgt. Paul Ehrler's patrols. (Spectrum News 1)

Ehrler says he’s seen their success and the difference they make. Only a few days prior, they caught someone who used counterfeit bills at nine different stores.

“If we wouldn’t have been in this mall, we would have never caught her,” Ehrler said.

He hopes their presence brings comfort to holiday shoppers.

“We’re close by with all these officers that are working extra,” Ehrler said. “So if you ever need anything, don’t ever hesitate to call us, dial 911, and we’ll come out and help you out.”

Another big part of the task force is educating people on how to be vigilant. Ehrler says to put valuables in the trunk of your car, lock your doors, look out for people following you and pay attention to suspicious shoplifters.