Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
A non-binding resolution was passed unanimously Monday by the Baltimore County Council to encourage owners at the White Marsh Mall to increase security and safety for shoppers by implementing a parental guidance policy.
Council members said it should be mandatory for mall visitors 16 years and younger to be accompanied at all times by a parent or supervising adult on Friday and Saturday after 5 p.m. This resolution is in the wake of an incident in August that led to the arrest of two adults and seven juveniles who were involved in a “chaotic scene” between the Avenue at White Marsh and the White Marsh Mall, officials said.
Council members Cathy Bevins, David Marks and Todd Crandell sponsored the resolution, which passed with a 7-0 vote. Bevins insisted the policy will improve safety at the mall as similar policies have been implemented at neighboring malls in the area.
“In Hunt Valley, it works,” said Bevins. “The Avenue, it works. In its sister mall in Towsontown, it is working.”
Bevins explained that the policy should help reduce problems at the mall.
“The complaints have been so overwhelming, that the crowds of kids are being vulgar and not getting out of people’s way, so people just don’t feel safe,” she said.
The resolution said that the retail establishments in White Marsh have become a meeting place for unsupervised young people, causing large groups of youth to move through the retail areas unattended.
“I hope White Marsh Mall will mimic what its sister mall has done here at Towsontown,” said Marks. “Towsontown’s policies have made the customers feel safer as well as the employees who work there.”
“Right now, the only place kids come together, other than organized sports, is often at school,” Jones Jr. said. “So, they will often congregate to places like the mall or a shopping center nearby to socialize with other kids.”
Jones Jr. said the resolution should help to keep the shoppers safe but added that some of those shoppers shouldn’t feel unsafe unless the kids are doing something wrong.
“It’s not the kid’s problem that you’re nervous and that you think something’s wrong because you see a large crowd of kids,” said Jones Jr. “That’s not their problem, that’s your problem.”