Monroeville Mall Patrons Curious If New Youth Policy Will Work
MONROEVILLE (KDKA) - In the wake of this past weekend's triple shooting inside the Macy's Department Store in the Monroeville Mall, police are increasing their visibility both inside and outside the mall.
Beginning immediately, at least one Monroeville police officer will be in the mall, bolstering security.
In addition, Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole says by the end of the month, a police substation will be reopening in the mall. More security changes include adult escorts accompanying juveniles in the mall on Friday and Saturday nights, starting later this month.
KDKA's Ralph Iannotti Reports:
The shooting though is still on the minds of residents and patrons.
Kristen Davis, of Monroeville, reacted to the beefed up security saying, "Steps are being taken, and that's what needs to be done."
Melanie Brodt said, "It's a great start, but it's probably not enough."
Tarod Thornhill, 17, was arrested in connection with the shooting that left three people injured Saturday night. Two of the three victims remain in critical condition. The third is in fair condition with a shoulder injury.
While patrons agree that something needs to be done to improve safety, they're curious if a new youth escort policy will really work.
"It's good that they're trying to protect us, keep us safe, but that restriction on the under 18, I don't know how they can possibly enforce that," Ken Lucas said.
KDKA's Christine D'Antonio Reports:
After Saturday's triple-shooting inside the Monroeville Mall, CBL & Associates, who owns the property, announced its plan to curb violence through the youth escort policy.
The policy would require anyone 18 and under to be with someone 21 or older on Friday and Saturday nights after 6 p.m.
"How are they going to keep everybody out? There's so many entrances, especially with the movie theater," Carol Lucas said.
In a statement, the company said the goal is, "To curtail the rising number of unsupervised youth hanging out at Monroeville Mall and related disturbances occurring there on Friday and Saturday nights. Monroeville Mall Management is implementing the policy in response to feedback from local government, business leaders, and members of the community."
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said he believes the measure may help, along with cameras and better technology.
However, he said the actions are coming far too late. Zappala said in 2013 he tried to set up preventative measures.
"I had security consultants meet with the owners of the mall because the mall was routinely becoming a destination point for drug transactions. I don't know what, if anything, has been done. I don't believe they did what the consultant asked them to do and now we're responding to violence," he said.
The new policy goes into effect on Feb. 27.
Mall officials also say they'll continue to develop security measures.
Besides the weekend shooting, Monroeville Mall's image has been tarnished recently by multiple fights among teenagers in December, and robberies or attempted holdups at three mall stores last month.
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