N.Y. lawmaker eyeing Black Friday law

NEW YORK, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- A New York lawmaker says the city should implement a new law that would require stores to improve security measures on Black Friday.

New York City Councilman James Gennaro,. D-Fresh Meadows, said he is considering offering a bill to the City Council that would specific security minimums at area stores during the traditionally busy shopping day, Newsday said Monday.

Gennaro's proposal comes in the wake of an incident last Friday at a Long Island Wal-Mart store in which Jdimytai Damour, 34, was trampled to death by shoppers rushing for holiday bargains.

"This is something that should be dealt with ahead of time with private security and local law enforcement to determine what is safe," Gennaro said. "It shouldn't be dealt with with ambulances after the fact."

A spokesman for Wal-Mart told Newsday that, while the retail chain doesn't operate within city limits, it would work with the city council to any approved security standards.