Curfews and Teen "Waiting Zones" Implemented in Shopping Malls to Curb Chaos, Theft, and Fights

Unruly Teen Behavior in Shopping Malls

Residents, vendors, and security at Moreno Valley Mall in California, along with others across the country, are fed up with unruly teens causing chaos in their local shopping malls. Malls such as New Jersey’s oldest mall, Westfield Garden State Plaza, are implementing new rules to curb this behavior, which can sometimes be illegal.

New Rules and Policies

At Westfield Garden State Plaza, individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, as reported by KIRO Newsradio. The mall has also established “waiting zones” for teens requiring a ride post-curfew. Similar policies have been adopted by a mall in Pittsburgh, where both teens and their adult chaperones face bans if a violation occurs. In Atlanta, some retailers have experienced a decrease in sales after enforcing such rules.

Consequences of Looting and Theft

These rules are a direct result of the looting spree that began during the 'summer of love' in 2020 and has continued since. Police across the country have had to deal with increased rates of theft in inner cities, while liberal DAs have been reluctant to prosecute those breaking the law. Consequently, stores like CVS and Target have resorted to locking up basic items like toothpaste, and shopping malls have been forced to "lock down".

Grieving the Loss of Safe Spaces for Teens

KIRO's Angela Poe Russell expresses her sadness over the changes happening at malls, stating that teens need a safe place to hang out and have fun. She reminisces about the days when they could just go hang out at a mall in person with people, without fear of looting or assault. She laments that some of her favorite childhood memories took place at the mall, which is no longer a safe place.

Bottom Line

The implementation of curfews and "waiting zones" in shopping malls is a response to the increasing chaos, theft, and fights caused by unruly teenagers. While this may be a necessary measure to ensure safety, it is also a sad reflection of the times. It raises questions about the loss of safe public spaces for our youth and the impact of these changes on their social lives. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and let's start a conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.