Queens Lawmaker Proposes Shopper Crowd Control Bill
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A council member called for new legislation Sunday to protect store workers and shoppers, following the death of a Walmart employee on Black Friday.
Queens Councilman James Gennaro introduced a "Doorbuster Bill," which would require malls and large retailers to take appropriate security measures during so-called "doorbuster sales."
Measures include employing security personnel trained in crowd control and holding the retailers accountable for any injuries.
"These early morning, middle of the night crushes of shoppers are essentially street activities and they should be regulated," said Gennaro. "And there should be requirements put forth, which fortunately some retailers already observe and they have security personnel and they have crowd control. But some don't and we have to make sure that in every case that is the case."
The legislation was made in response to the death of Jimmy Damour, 34, of Queens, who died when roughly 2,000 bargain shoppers stampeded over him at the Valley Stream Wal-Mart on Black Friday.
Three shoppers at the store were also injured.