NEWSWIRE
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Holiday shopping season off to a violent start |
By Rhianna Daniels - 12.02.2008 
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WASHINGTON--As consumer spending on Black Friday weekend rose 7.2 percent over last year, the weekend was also marked by three shootings and a stampede.
In New York, a Wal-Mart worker was trampled to death by shoppers eager to save on holiday purchases; in Florida, a security guard was killed during an armored car robbery; two, including a pregnant woman, were shot in an Atlanta mall on Nov. 29; and two people were killed after a gunman opened fire at a Southern California Toys R' Us on Black Friday.
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Violence, particularly active shooters, in shopping facilities has been a growing concern for retailers and shopping mall operators across the nation, according to industry experts, and the current economic downturn is adding another layer to the challenging holiday season.
"Retailers are experiencing more crime and they are getting very concerned about it," said Paul Jones, vice president, asset protection with the Retail Industry Leaders Association. "This is something everyone is dealing with right now."
The industry has banded together to help operators prepare for the likelihood of violence in stores. The National Retail Federation, in partnership with RILA, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in October unveiled emergency response protocols for active shooter incidents, a project designed to aid retailers with response and recovery efforts.
"What makes active shooter situations so unpredictable, deadly and tough for businesses to get their arms around is that you never know when, you never know who and you never know where," said Joe LaRocca, vice president of loss prevention for NRF in a previous interview with Security Director News. "[These protocols] represent the best thinking from both the private and public sectors, who have put their heads together and developed meaningful information for private businesses nationwide."
Jones said it can be hard to prevent shooting situations, such as the Florida and California incidents, but that "all retailers have taken notice over the blood dropped on Black Friday. There is an Incredible amount of re-examination" of internal policies and controls happening right now.
"The last thing a retailer wants in any season, especially during the most important season, is to have any negative customer experience," Jones said. Retailers "can learn from what just happened, take precautions and take necessary steps" to be able to respond appropriately to violent situations.
The active shooter guide is available at http://www.lpinformation.com/Portals/0/NRF_ActiveShooter_Guidelines.pdf.
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