Police in Santa Cruz announced today that in an effort to help maintain a safe shopping environment in the downtown area this holiday season, private security officers will extend their hours. Security officers with First Alarm will work another 5 hours beginning November 26th running through December 24th. Officers in the downtown area now work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., their new shifts will run from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.