Wrentham Police warn shoppers of Black Friday traffic patterns

November 9, 2018 1:11 pm

WRENTHAM, M.A. (WLNE) — Black Friday shoppers are used to lines at the mall, and at the Wrentham Outlets, they’re used to lines leading into and out of the mall as well.

“Its really bad,” said Salete Oliveira, of Wrentham. “You can spend hours trying to find a spot to park your car.”

Which is why Wrentham Police have taken to social media early this year, to warn shoppers about their new tactic.

“Our message this year is simple, ignore your GPS,” said Wrentham Police Chief, Bill McGrath.

Beginning Thanksgiving Day, police will be setting up roadblocks around town, leaving shoppers with only one way in and one way out — using I-495, exit 15.

“None of the neighborhoods are accessible from exit 14 or exit 16,” said McGrath.

“They’ll all be closed down. Your GPS will be telling you to go there, and we’ll be telling you to go away,” explained the chief. “We want to avoid that problem in advance.”

Outlet shopper and Wrentham resident, Salete Oliveira, thinks having a single entrance and exit will only make matters worse.

“The traffic is probably going to be very slow,” she said. “Like, slower than normal.”

This year, Oliveira has decided to stay home on Black Friday.

“If i need to get something from the outlets, its going to be before Black Friday,” she explained.

Wrentham Police say their entire department is on duty Black Friday, and most officers will be monitoring road blocks making sure no drivers try to cut through neighborhoods.