Jimmy Jenkins/KJZZ

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone

There’s a new sheriff in town in Paul Penzone, but the posses that Joe Arpaio utilized for over two decades to patrol mall parking lots during the holidays will continue.

Over 200 posse members will help the Sheriff’s Office deter crime by patrolling parking lots and other outside spaces at seven area malls this year: Arrowhead Mall, Biltmore Fashion Park, Chandler Mall, Desert Sky Mall, Paradise Valley Mall, Scottsdale Fashion Square and Superstition Springs Mall.

Lt. Buddy Acritelli with the sheriff’s office also has some suggestions for the public. Among them: put belongings in your trunk, and look around before you leave your car.

“Take note of where you parked,” Acritelli said. “A lot of time individuals are so wrapped up in trying to get in there and do their shopping, they actually forget where they park, and they come back out into an area where their vehicle they believe is stolen.”

But often the car isn’t stolen, it’s just parked in another area.

Acritelli wouldn’t say when the patrols will be out. “We don’t want to give criminals that might be looking for that crime of opportunity a specific time.”

About the status of posses in general, Acritelli said Sheriff Penzone wants the posse program to continue.