Security, Safety Top Priority For Shoppers, Businesses On Black Friday

Americans are asked to be alert this Thanksgiving weekend, especially in crowds.

We know some of the crowds will gather at stores as shoppers take advantage of discounts and deals.

This holiday season, Star Wars items are some of the hottest toys; and if you're out buying a lightsaber or two this weekend, big stores are doing everything they can to ensure your safety and security.

We all know Black Friday is madness; the National Retail Federation estimates 135 million people will shop online or in stores Thanksgiving weekend.

Big box retailers train year-round for the event - practicing crowd management and reviewing security in parking lots.

A Target spokesperson said, this year, team members at some stores will use Segways in parking lots for better visibility. Target also has crowd management captains directing people into the stores and through aisles and register lines.

Despite those safety precautions, some shoppers, like Felina Wakefield, are still turned off.

Allison: "You are not a Black Friday shopper."
Wakefield: "No."
Allison: "Why not?"
Wakefield: "People are crazy."

Wakefield feels that way, especially after President Obama urged Americans to stay vigilant this holiday weekend.

"I just feel like, with the things that are going on in the world, it's just not safe to be in mass crowds," she said.

Police said if you do brave the stores, their number one tip is to practice patience.