COLUMBIA, S.C. — Families packed parking lots across shopping malls this weekend, putting possible safety concerns aside and focusing on the holiday rush.
It's been a busy day of shopping and spending time together for Jaronn Weaver and his kids. They were one of the many families who traveled to the Columbiana Mall on Saturday to hit one of the busiest times of the year.
"It's going to be a lot of traffic, especially if you're going from the interstate to get to Harbison; sometimes you got to get an exit before," he said.
The business comes as more Americans feel less safe, according to research from Gallup. Polling suggests fear for personal safety is at a 30-year high among people they surveyed. The outlet said 31% of respondents try to avoid central areas near cities, and 17% avoid shopping malls entirely.
It's a concern seen by Joyce Durant and her daughter Jhayda.
"Working in law enforcement, I'm always security conscious, so of course [safety] is. There's a lot of valuables in vehicles, and people see you coming out of stores, with a lot of bags, and things like that," she said. "Especially the elderly people, it makes them more susceptible to being a target."
Durant added she's been able to feel safer by staying alert and watching her surroundings.
"Sight and sound. It's what you hear and what you see," she said.
Eric McCall said he's seen a bump in safety measures while shopping for his grandchildren this weekend.
"It surprised me; we were coming out of Sam's, and the gentleman at the door that was checking our receipts told us to not leave the gift cards on the buggy because somebody may snatch them as we went through the parking lot. So, I found that strange," he said.
Weaver said he understands the worries but doesn't have those fears for his or his family's safety.
"Things are going to happen, but as long as you pay attention to your surroundings, if you see something shaky, see something, say something," he said. "If you see something that it might not be a spot for me, you pulled up in your car, just pull off in your car," he said.