Over the last 40 to 50 years the Shopping Mall has replaced traditional downtown shopping in many regions around the country. This phenomenon has focused high concentrations of people into relatively small areas. This environment has provided fertile ground for a variety of criminal behaviors. The invasion of criminal behavior into the malls of America includes purse snatching, car theft and car break-ins, assault, shoplifting by committee and even homicides.

Criminal activity tends to be focused in two general areas, food courts and parking facilities. Although these areas represent the focus of much of the criminal activity, they are noted at the exclusion of other areas such as retail space restrooms, etc.

Where does mall security begin?
Mall security begins with the public. Most research seems to support the notion that if the victims of crime had practiced more prudent behaviors, they would not have been victimized despite the efficacy of the mall security program. Most of the effective behaviors only require the practice of “common sense” behaviors. Such behaviors include parking in well lit areas, keeping valuables out of sight in the trunk of the car, and being alert. Malls that uphold good housekeeping standards tend to be safer. For example, malls that are trashy, that have burned-out lights, and have graffiti on their structures are generally less secure than malls that are kept in pristine condition.

Parents need to know where there kids are. Parents cannot assume the local mall is providing a safe after-school program and babysitting service. Food courts are often the site of teenager on teenager conflict including gang conflict.

Shopping malls also have an obligation to maintain reasonably secure premises. Defining reasonable security is not easy because one size does not fit all. Shopping malls can only determine how much security is reasonable by conducting a thorough security assessment. It is best that the assessment be conducted by a qualified security professional. Clearly the mall must examine the history of criminal activity when assessing future needs.

Mall security does not merely mean the use of patrolling security guards. Shopping mall security results from a combination of mitigating strategies. Such tactics may involve the application of adequate lighting, access management plans, police patrols and the use of closed-circuit television. There are no universal standards, nor should there be, for adequate mall security programs.

Security is a situational discipline. The security needs of a shopping mall in Minneapolis may be completely different from a mall in Atlanta. The situational differences will determine the prudent solutions.

SSO invites your comments. If you are involved with mall management and wish to register your point of view, your comments are welcome. If you are a consumer and have experiences to share and concerns you would like addressed, SSO would like to hear from you. SSO also welcomes comments and articles from security practitioners and providers. It is the goal of SSO to bring security solutions to those with security needs.