JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Motorists should prepare for extended waits at traffic signals and stop signs as they approach St. Johns Town Center for Black Friday festivities.

The gridlock experienced last year left many stranded in parking lots for hours, prompting some savvy shoppers to arrive extra early this year to sidestep potential traffic chaos.

In response, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has taken proactive measures, manually controlling traffic lights at key intersections along Town Center Parkway. Officers are also actively directing vehicles in the roundabouts to manage the flow.

Although many stores at St. Johns Town Center opened their doors at 6 a.m., eager Black Friday shoppers like John McGahey were already queued up much earlier, ready to seize the day’s deals.

“Oh, there’s nothing better than getting up at three o’clock in the morning,” he said.

His mission was to get Lego’s first line of Star Trek sets.

“The only day you can get it is today. They will sell out pretty quick,” explained McGahey

It was an item that brought John back to the Black Friday shopping craze. His last time camping out for the deals to drop was back in the 90s.

“It is freezing, that is all. I had to knock the icicles off my nose,” he added.

After waiting this long, he made sure he would not walk away empty-handed.

“They only let five people in at a time, so it is not too crowded. You feel like you are not rushed, but the poor people outside are wanting you to hurry up,” said McGahey.

When we asked McGahey if it was worth the wait, he said, “Of course.”

“When you buy something online, they may cancel it three days later because they are out of stock. That is kind of a drag. But here I have it in my hands. They are not canceling,” he mentioned.

As for his plans for the rest of Black Friday, they do not include waiting in any more long lines.

“I am going to Waffle House. Then I am taking a nap when I get home, and I will build it later,” he said.

Although many of the morning shoppers are heading out now, JSO plans to continue patrolling the Town Center area to help with traffic until late tonight, even after stores close their doors at 9 P.M.