Watch CBS News

New Security Measures Take Effect This Weekend At Monroeville Mall

MONROEVILLE (KDKA) – There is calm tonight at the Monroeville Mall and officials want to keep it that way.

Today they announced plans are in the works to address public safety concerns after a brawl broke out Friday.

"The Monroeville Mall is very safe," said the Monroeville Mayor.

But many at the mall last Friday say that was not the case around 4:30 p.m. when multiple fights broke out on both levels and several police departments were called in to help.

"We did have two separate assaults that occurred there, but it appears that they're all going to be juveniles, so obviously I can't comment on that. We did issue, as we said, a disorderly conduct citation to an adult, an 18-year-old, that's all we'll comment on that too. That's still going to be going through the system," said Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole.

"I thought it was a shame, it's not going to stop us from coming here," said one man.

"It was embarrassing, we're from the area and we see that on national television," said another.

Michael Bunardzya KDKA's Brenda Waters his daughter was shopping at the mall when the incident happened.

"She was in one of the stores and they put the gate down and waited," Bunardzya said. "About 45 minutes later, one of the security escorted her and others out to the parking lot."

The mayor, the police chief and the municipal manager of Monroeville told reporters what happened Friday was an isolated incident, but new security measures have been put into place after meeting with mall management.

Usually, one Monroeville Police Officer is at the mall, beginning this weekend that number increases to four.

"We're looking at ways to increase our presence as a uniformed police officers, sworn officers from the Monroeville Police Department, at the mall itself and we will be doing that this weekend with more officers assigned this Friday and Saturday," Cole said.

"We also had an off-site police station put together," Cole added.

You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.