Businesses across the Triangle increase security to keep Black Friday shoppers safe
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
It also marks the one-year anniversary of a dark day in the Triangle, the shooting at Streets at Southpoint Mall in Durham.
That anniversary highlights the challenge of balancing shopping, and safety this holiday season.
The images are hard to forget.
Customers running, screaming, in the wake of a triple shooting on Black Friday at the Streets at Southpoint.
One year later security is still on the minds of shoppers, and not just in Durham.
"It should always be top of mind, to be honest," said one shopper Thursday.
Customers, police and mall security across the Triangle are all taking a closer look at precautions this Black Friday.
In Garner, Officer Steven Ferrari said every year, his department increases its presence at popular malls and shopping centers.
"We plan on it being a very busy day. It usually is," said Ferrari. "Visibility is the biggest key."
Malls, including Crabtree Valley Mall, do the same.
Crabtree's General Manager Debora Overholt wrote in a statement "While safety is always paramount, out of precaution, we enhance our security presence on Black Friday and other key shopping times, including having additional Raleigh Police Officers on property."
Security consultant Tim Shipman said that increased security is the right call.
"If you see something, hear something, say something," said Shipman. "They need to be fully staffed with their security personnel continuously moving throughout the mall, making themselves very, very visible."
That security is not just a deterrent, but a comfort to shoppers.
Shipman said shoppers should always have a plan going into a store and be aware of their surroundings.
And, in the event of a shooting, Go to the nearest exit in the opposite direction from where the situation is occurring.
