While the Thanksgiving dishes are fresh in the sink, shoppers around Williamsburg will head out to the stores, causing congested and hazardous traffic across the area.
“No deal is worth hurting or killing someone by speeding, avoiding traffic signals and signs, or recklessly operating a vehicle to get a parking space,” said Maj. Greg Riley, spokesman for the Williamsburg Police Department.
Each year, the parking lots fill with thousands of vehicles and drivers stressing to find spots. But Premium Outlets, one of the popular destinations, is making sure their customers have a smooth experience.
“(We have) spent months preparing for a great experience for all our guests and have worked in tandem with James City County Police Department to ensure shoppers can easily park and access stores,” according to Premium Outlets management.
The Premium Outlets has created an overflow traffic area behind the Polo Ralph Lauren building specifically for Black Friday that provides an additional 400 spots.
James City County Police assists with parking each year to help make sure drivers are safe during their Black Friday fun.
Police encourage drivers to be patient and be alert for stopped vehicles and pedestrians during congested times, said Stephanie Williams, JCC Police spokeswoman.
Drivers should remember that parking is not permitted in neighborhoods next to the outlets.
In other parts of Williamsburg, local police are assisting with heavier trafficked areas such as by the Monticello Marketplace and the Marquis Shopping Center, Riley said.
“Officers will be present to make sure safe driving habits are practiced and everyone has a safe shopping experience,” Riley said.
Police want to remind shoppers of good safety precautions to take, especially when handling large amounts of expensive items.
Riley said shoppers should keep their purchases locked in the trunk of their vehicles when unattended instead of simply in the back or front seats. If a car does not have a trunk, shoppers should place the items in the floor board or another area where they will not be visible from the outside.
This includes personal items such as cellphones, GPS devices or purses.
Shoppers should also maintain their personal safety by easing their carrying load. Riley recommends shoppers to not overload themselves with the items they’re carrying so they can have greater freedom of motion and visibility.