“What we’re trying to accomplish here is a safe holiday shopping environment for everybody who wants to come down to the Dayton Mall and surrounding businesses,” said Maj. John DiPietro, with the Miami Township Police Department.

One shopper said traffic near the Dayton Mall has been heavy.

“The mall is packed,” said Maura Patillo. “It’s real packed and it’s a hustle trying to get down here. The line is long even to pull into the mall.”

DiPietro said police will be on the lookout for people parked in fire lanes, drivers blocking intersections, drivers turning from a paved shoulder and drivers illegally parked in handicapped spaces.

“We actually found a placard, but it was actually the square blue sign that you would see on a restroom door,” DiPietro said. “They basically just took it off the door and put it on their dashboard and they thought that would allow them to park in a handicapped spot.”

One shopper said that can be a problem for people who really need those spaces.

“I have a mother-in-law who is handicapped and we couldn’t even find a spot to get her out yesterday,” said Angie Pina.