A Look Inside Security Measures At Mall Of America
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Security officials at Mall of America say they heard the chilling video from terrorist group al-Shabaab, and they take it seriously.
With 150 people on staff just for security, they say this place is safe -- they amped up security heavily after 9/11.
According to the officers who patrol this monstrous operation, from the moment anyone walks in the door to the time they leave, they can watch. They won't say how many exactly, but hundreds of cameras are hidden, surveillance is even below the floors.
"We want people to know MOA is an iconic facility and we protect it as such and we want folks to know that," Head of Mall Security Doug Reynolds said.
It's why Reynolds says he allowed cameras in to capture the back room operations, on the heels of a frightening warning.
"Last week, Saturday was another reason to remind us why we do what we do," he said.
According to Reynolds, five explosive sniffing dogs patrol the mall, with at least one on the floor at all times. In the past they've found things like fireworks on shoppers.
All Shoppers are made aware if the mall locks down with a toll and call over speakers. On Monday, they practiced a lock down, just as they do 22 times a year. In fact, this drill has been scheduled since January.
Officers also showed WCCO the social media room where they look for threats from people on line in the area.
Mall of America has about 100 full-time security staff members; officers train 11 weeks longer than many other mall officers. They also work in cooperation with Bloomington Police, who handle criminal calls.
Some officers take to bikes to maneuver through parking ramps, others mingle in uniform or plain clothes.
"Our message to folks is this is a safe place to go -- I go here, I shop, my family comes here and shops," Reynolds said.
Trying to prove that what you can't see can help you, and sometimes when the doors close at Mall of America, SWAT teams run training exercises inside. Reynolds says what really prompted these protocols, was 9/11.
