Holiday Shoppers On Edge In Wake Of San Bernardino, Paris Attacks
GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) — Last week's massacre in San Bernardino has many fearful of being in crowded areas.
Kristy Bright, a new mother to a one-month-old baby girl, admits she plans to avoid the busiest shopping days in light of recent events.
"Maybe because it's crazy on those days anyways but there's so many people but …. no, won't go on those days," she said.
Although there have been no recent credible terror threats against U.S. malls, many shoppers are on edge.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: San Bernardino Shooting
Over the weekend, a robbery at a jewelry store at the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside led to a panic among shoppers who thought the sound of breaking glass was gunshots.
Blare Mostofi admits to being more cautious and aware of her surroundings, including what's being done to protect her.
"I've actually seen a few security officers today and I've seen some police cars cycling around the mall too so I wonder if security is heightened because of all of this," Mostofi said.
CBS2 reached out to the management at the Glendale Galleria to inquiry as to what, if any, new security measures have been put in place amid recent events. They responded that as a matter of policy, they don't comment on their security plan.
In fact, all of the malls CBS2 reached out to wouldn't disclose what steps they're taking to protect shoppers.
Westfield, which owns close to 20 malls in the Southland, said in a statement that it wouldn't discuss the details, but assured shoppers:
"Security measures during the holiday period typically reflect increased visitation and given recent events, like most other organizations, we are operating under a heightened state of awareness."