DES PERES, Mo. — The busy holiday shopping season is now underway.
And in St. Louis County, one police department is now using plate readers to keep shoppers safe.
Judging by the large crowds at West County Center, people are already in the holiday spirit.
Katelynn Gerullis says the discounts range from low to deep discounts.
"You can get 30% off and 50% off discounts," Gerullis said.
Gerullis says even deeper discounts if you can stand the lines.
Shopper Hannah Venable and her family have a newborn, so they got a late start on the deals.
"It's been a little chaotic. It's been in and out, long lines and it's been crazy," Venable said.
The Des Peres Police Department is directing the long lines of traffic today and throughout the holiday season.
Manchester Road is one of many congested roads in the area.
"It's not that bad, you have to be respectful. Don't honk and flip people off just wait your turn," Gessel said.
And the department has added a new tool to its toolbox. They're called FLOCK license plate readers. There's a total of four of them at the mall entrances.
According to Chief Eric Hall, the cameras read plate information and send it to the department in 30-45 seconds. Hall said it's great for "investigative purposes," alerting police to things like stolen vehicles, wanted suspects and even missing people.
Des Peres Police Department said at the end of 2022, they also installed a K-9 unit, which is able to detect firearms.
The department said a total of four police officers work solely at the shopping center.
Shoppers say the extra protection is needed, especially on Black Friday. Venable said she witnessed illegal parking at the mall on the shopping day.
"Somebody just pulled into the parking spot and refused to move so they had to send somebody over there," Venable said.
5 On You Side witnessed another incident in the parking lot when a shopper tried standing in a parking space only for another shopper to pull into that space and take it.
Meghana Jangle and her daughter said they had their hesitations too about shopping on Black Friday, but overall decided to come and grab the deals.
"I felt safe when I went in. There was so many people. I was hesitating before coming here but I felt safe," Jangle said.