Few Black Friday traffic delays at The Promenade - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Few Black Friday traffic delays at The Promenade

By Krystal Allan – bio | email

D'IBERVILLE, MS (WLOX) - "It wasn't as bad as I expected to be.  It really wasn't," Desiree Martin said of the traffic around D'Iberville's shopping district.

That's not what most people would expect to hear on Black Friday. But, a few minutes before noon, traffic was far from congested at The Promenade shopping plaza in D'Iberville.

"We looked over at the Wal-Mart section, and we looked over at Target; we were able to get in quickly and find a parking spot, and we were just wondering where is everybody," said Barbara Kerby of Woolmarket.

But, those who came out for those early bird deals had a very different experience.  Police say the heaviest traffic rolled in around 5 to 6am.

"They were parked all over the place at the Wal-Mart and here at the Promenade at the Target and Best Buy.  They were lined up and down the streets," D'Iberville Police Chief Wayne Payne said. "But, of course, the customers got in and got out and it was a safe morning."

Chief Payne said there was a four hour overlap between night and day shift officers, resulting in more officers on the streets.  D'Iberville police also called extra officers at 9 a.m.  In addition, police have been working with store managers on reducing traffic tie-ups.

"The police really assisted with that, bringing people in and out when the stoplights were clogging up traffic and stuff like that," Best Buy Store Manager Tripp Sullivan said. "The customers feel better when they can get in and out of the store quickly, especially those who shop online."

Though the shopping season is just getting underway, so far it's been a fairly smooth ride getting shoppers into and out of D'Iberville safely.

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