FOLEY - The big crowds bring high sales. But many store managers say they also bring concerns about safety and shoplifters.

When you have thousands of eager shoppers cramming into the Tanger Outlet mall in Foley, it takes a small army to make sure everything goes smoothly.

It was hard for the tens of thousands of shoppers to miss the Foley Police Department's presence.

Lt. J.T. Bullock and his officers arrived Thursday night to help with the mall's midnight opening.

Police assisted with traffic flow, catching shoplifters and helping customers feel safe.

They said whenever you have a lot of people concentrated in one area there needs to be an extra police presence to cut down on thefts or misbehaving.

Bullock says besides a few shoplifting calls, everyone just enjoyed the holiday spirit.

This is the first year for the pumped up patrols.

Shoppper Ketina Lyons came to the outlet mall for a good deal. She takes comfort in knowing the police are nearby.

"With so much happening during the holidays and people being out of work, people will do anything to get by so its good to be safe and feel safe," said Lyons.Shopping Mall Security