Arden Fair Mall Security Uses Lessons Learned In Previous Brawl To Diffuse Situation
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Two teens were arrested after a big brawl forced Arden Fair Mall to close two hours early Friday evening.
Steve Reed, manager of mall security, says they've doubled the number of officers and security officers as a precaution after the incident, and they will keep the extra security until kids go back to school.
"There's too many people out, there's bound to be some trouble," said shopper Kristina Currie.
The fight happened at the mall's food court. When security officers tried to break-up the fight and remove the suspects, they say other fights broke out.
"I think they're just people giving some sort of a look, or somebody looking at somebody's girlfriend. It wasn't gang related anything like that," Reed said.
A similar incident happened two years ago to the date. Cameras captured the arrests of three teens accused of fighting in public.
Learning from that event, Reed says they decided to shut down the mall two hours early as a precautionary measure.
"In this situation, we could see things were starting to build up, so we were proactive. We decided get them outside and shut down the mall," Reed said.
"[I'm] pretty happy they did that," said shopper Fred Bach. "Pretty secure in the fact [they're] moving as quickly as possible to get things under control."
Security says they're also beefing up patrols, with officers standing on every corner, coming down the escalator, doing a walk through the mall – keeping a close eye on who is doing what.
"We've got people monitoring the cameras and we're being very proactive about groups building up inside, that type of thing," Reed said.
And it's noticed by many.
"I've seen it! We drove in and saw three cops when we were driving in, so definitely there's more security. I felt secure driving through the parking lot today," said shopper Kristina Currie.
Reed also says that after the incident two years ago, the mall has added more monitors to the mall so security officers can keep an eye on things.
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