South Florida Malls Mellow Amid Terror "Threat"
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - At shopping malls across South Florida security was visible, but typical, two days after a Somali terror group issued a call for attacks on shopping malls in the U.S., Canada and Britain. There was no evidence of panic in the parking lots here.
At the Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater a squad of bicycle-riding police officers was on patrol today. Nothing unusual about that. It is a routine fixture, along with a legion of private mall security officers. Mall management told CBS4 their level of security is at 100% - as it always is.
At the Miami-Dade Police Department's homeland security division, nothing was ramped up, but they called the mall threat a learning opportunity.
"This is not a law enforcement issue, this is a community issue," said Capt. Jana Bolinger-Heller. "This is something where we're all in this together, and we really need to share information."
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Internationally recognized security expert Wayne Black consults for many shopping malls across the country.
"There's a good partnership with local police departments by and large with the big malls that we have," Black told CBS4. "I think we tell people to come shopping and, if you see something, say something."
Law enforcement has for years conducted active shooter and anti-terror drills at malls.
Shoppers monday didn't let the weekend terror threat keep them away.
I'm not worried about it," said Abdel Yoda, as he arrived at the International Mall in Sweetwater. "Maybe the day that it happens, then maybe I'll start worrying more.
Make no mistake, those in the business of security say, it will happen - if not in South Florida, somewhere.
"I think it's just a matter of when - not if - we have another terror attack in this country," said Black. "Hopefully, it's not a mall, but we can't let them win."