Amid the rush of the holiday season and especially today's Black Friday shopping extravaganza, it's important to keep the warm wishes of the season in the front of our minds.
We understand the desire to find that perfect present for everyone on your list - ideally on sale. But it's important that spirit of the season isn't lost in shopping mob mentality.
Because this is such an important part of the year, retailers will offer limited-time - and often limited quantity - specials at bargain basement prices to get customers into their stores. The hope is those shoppers will stick around and buy other items as well.
But those doorbusters can bring out the bad nature in bargain-crazed shoppers that can turn the situation ugly in a hurry.
A couple of years ago, Logan Township police had to be called to a local shopping center after competing lines raised tempers of customers waiting for a toy store to open. Those arriving earliest started forming one line. Later arrivals, who didn't want to wait, formed a second line, and a third group skipped both lines and threatened to rush the doors when they opened.
Police had to disperse those who were trying to crowd in rather than waiting for their turn in line.
As sad as this is, it's far better than what has happened elsewhere where crowds rushing through doors have trampled people, injuring some and killing others. This has prompted many large retailers to develop crowd-control plans.
We hope such efforts will not be needed. No sale price is worth the life or health of another person or yourself.
Shoppers should strive to maintain order and wait for their turn in line on Black Friday and the rest of this holiday season.
Let's maintain some sanity during this shopping craziness and strive to ensure this remains a healthy and happy season for all.
