The day after Thanksgiving in the U.S. is known as Black Friday, and it is one of the busiest shopping days of the entire year. Many stores open very early in the morning, 5Am or earlier, or even stay open late Thanksgiving night to offer shoppers low prices and deals.
In 2012, approximately 307.67 million people visited stores on Black Friday, up 3.5% from 2011 (ShopperTrak). Estimates place 2013’s statistics even higher.
In Tallahassee, Florida, many residents are preparing for shopping festivities on Black Friday, but they’re wary, according to WCTV. With tensions high, things have known to get out of hand, like the shooting that happened in a Tallahassee Walmart last year. Assault, battery, and robbery are also not uncommon occurrences not just in Florida, but throughout the United States.
Many police departments, including those in Tallahassee, are planning to employ extra security at retail locations this year. Officers will patrol parking lots and keep watch over malls and shopping centers. Off-duty cops will likely be employed by retail stores themselves for added security indoors.
Retail stores are preparing as well by bringing on extra security guards to monitor transactions, watch for shoplifting and deescalate confrontations that breakout between shoppers.
