Watch: Florida Police Release World's Cutest Holiday Public Service Announcement

Dressed as tiny criminals and pint-sized cops, a troupe of youngsters is helping the Boca Raton Police Department remind holiday shoppers to take care to take a bite out of crime.

The little actors are stars in the department’s new video series, “Holiday Safety, It’s not Child’s Play.” Through the creative video campaign, police hope to raise awareness about just how easy it is for the bad guys to get an upper hand during the holiday shopping season.

The two-video series focuses on two major issues police encounter during the shopping season – auto and home burglaries. The first video serves as a reminder for folks to keep valuables out of plain sight in their vehicles.

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“The message of the video is to encourage people to drive straight home after shopping,” the department’s Facebook page states.

The second video targets holiday trash, which often serves as a flashing neon sign for burglars on the prowl for easy marks.

“Many times they (boxes) are left on the sidewalk, which is an open invitation for bad guys to break into your home,” the department warns. “The message in the video is to cut up all boxes and place them in non-transparent garbage bags or cans.”

Law enforcement agencies throughout the Tampa Bay area are also working to get the word out about holiday-related crime by sharing tips for smart shopping and home safety.

The Sarasota Police Department created a handy, sharable flier for its Facebook page. Its No. 1 tip: “Always know your surroundings. A distracted shopper is a prime target for criminals.”

As the mini-policewoman in Boca Raton’s video series warns, “Preventing holiday crime – it’s not child’s play.”

Check out both videos on Boca Raton’s YouTube page.

YouTube Screenshot