Retailers urged to be pro-active on crowds

MINEOLA, N.Y., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Retail analysts say a Long Island, N.Y., police plan to control shopper crowds offers some solid ideas on preventing repeats of the deadly Wal-Mart stampede.

The plan put together by the Nassau County Police Department concludes that retailers will have to take steps to ensure that everyone remains orderly and inform their local law enforcement agencies that large crowds are expected.

"It seems very comprehensive and very well thought-out," Howard Davidowitz of Howard Davidowitz and Associates, told Newsday. "To me, the whole thing comes down to planning."

Newsday said Friday that the recommendations were drafted after a closed-door meeting with retailers following the pre-Christmas rush of shoppers that resulted in a Wal-Mart worker being trampled to death in Long Island.

Davidowitz said such potential mob scenes were more likely as U.S. retailers become increasingly aggressive about attracting Christmas shoppers with early openings and well-timed sales.