2-ton cement ball at Target rolls through parking lot, damaging car

[UrbScotty]

It looked like a scene from an Indiana Jones flick. A big red boulder, the 2-ton logo of one of the world's largest retailers, rolling across one of their busiest parking lots, causing thousands in damage. But who's responsible to make this right? Check out the video, you be the judge.

Keep your eye on the ball, the first in a row guarding the gate to the Target location in Paramus, New Jersey.

The video was shot by a Target parking lot surveillance camera. You can watch as a pick up truck bumps the ball, jarring it loose, the ball starts to roll into traffic, and smash! Right into a moving car.

"All of sudden I hear this crash and a really loud noise," Eileen Grady said. She thought she ran something over, but it was the 2-ton bollard bouncing of her driver's side door.

http://abc7ny.com/news/incredi-ball-2-ton-target-cement-ball-rolls-through-paramus-parking-lot/1734236/

[TexasProgresive]

1. Everytime I go to Target I wonder what anchors those balls.

[csziggy]

3. Apparently nothing but gravity

And I think that makes Target liable- but I am not a lawyer. Those things should be secured and not just sitting there. If the shape were less prone to rolling away - say with a good flat base - that would be different. But to put a round object on a surface with nothing to keep it in place - that's nuts!

[meadowlark5]

2. Target should just pay for it

That is such bad publicity. It really wouldn't cost that much in the scheme of things to cover a couple thousand dollars to fix her doors. Then if Target wants restitution, they can go after the truck driver and his ins. But the lady just driving by, shouldn't be responsible for the cost of repairs.

Kind of surprises me that Target, a company that seems to be more socially and environmentally friendly, would take a stand like this.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. If they pay for it, they may have to fix every single one of their balls securely

which will cost a hell of a lot more. They're hoping they can get away with "these balls are safe". I don't think they are, but who knows if anyone can get that officially decided.

[meadowlark5]

5. It could end up being a much bigger liability if they don't do something proactively

Did you see the video with that little kid climbing on it after the guy and his dog in the parking lot rolled it up the door If that ball and rolled and the kid fell and it rolled on him, they'd be dealing with more than fixing a car door or securing all of their balls at all of their stores.

I totally understand what you are saying, but I think this incident should be a good wake up call and act proactively.

[liberal N proud]

6. Always wondered if one could roll the away

[eppur_se_muova]

7. "No one could have predicted ..." nt

[FSogol]

8. Sorry, but I have a hard time beleiving that it weighs 2 tons.

A full cubic yard (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet) of concrete weighs 4000 pounds, but for a decorative sphere, they must have used a lighter-weigh mix. I'd say it weighs 2500-3000 pounds.