FOLEY, Ala. - The Foley Police Department is beginning a new crime alert system, hoping to inform downtown Foley businesses of crime trends.

 In an email sent to businesses along Alabama 59 and U.S. 98 Tuesday, Wilson explained the new initiative.

 "I have one email group that contains most of the businesses up and down 98 and across 59 within the city limits," Wilson said in the email. "We did this by going door to door with most of you and, though it took a lot of leg work, it was well worth it.  We will be sending out Crime Alerts to you on crime trends that you need to know about."

 Wilson also said local businesses could get alerts from Lt. David White of the Foley PD Detective Division and Cpl. Matt Cuellar of the Community Services Unit.

 "We are here to serve you and we are very happy to communicate with you quickly," Wilson said to conclude the email.

 Since the email was sent, Cuellar sent an alert notifying businesses of a slew of shoplifting incidents at local convenience stores.

 The alert states, "We have recently had several thefts occur at local convenience stores where the offender(s) will enter a store, select merchandise, and run out.

 "Also, the offender(s) will select merchandise, have the employee bag it up, distract the employee, then run out the door with merchandise in hand."

 Cuellar said the main items targeted are beer, cigarettes and donation jars.