By: Katie Jones
kjones@cbs4qc.com
It's the biggest shopping day of the year, but police say Black Friday can also be dangerous.
Sales crowds and lots of chaos, the day after Thanksgiving has become a staple of the holiday shopping season. So police want to make sure you're prepared.
"The most important thing is to enjoy your shopping experience so make it safe," said Major Don Schaeffer, Davenport Police Department.
To make the most out of it, Major Don Schaeffer from Davenport P. D. says you should always plan ahead. Know what stores you're hitting before you leave the house and don't keep shopping bags out in the open.
"It's an encouragement to some car burglars walking through the parking lot and seeing something. So if you have packages put them in the trunk or cover them, slide them under your seat."
Major Schaeffer says there's safety in numbers so bring along a buddy, and with all the hustle and bustle of Black Friday he says the mall is no place for kids.
"If you have young children try to get a babysitter that's a major distraction as well as sometimes it causes a problem because of crowds they can lose children."
He says cops will be in and around the shopping centers this holiday weekend looking out for your safety.
"We can't obviously be in every place but we want to make it as a deterrent with our visibility as well as let you know we have undercover officers out there driving through the parking lots looking for suspicious activity."
Major Schaeffer says if you see anything suspicious while out shopping, don't second guess yourself, call police right away.
