Greece, N.Y. (WHAM) — The Greece Police Department has boots on the ground year-round at The Mall at Greece Ridge, working out of their substation in the food court. But between Thanksgiving and the New Year, they increase patrols there.
“Obviously, with the holiday season, we see a spike in shoppers,” said Lieutenant David Lute.
The mall sees roughly a 40 percent jump in foot traffic. Lute said the added chaos and crowds can be an invitation for thieves.
“(Employees notify) us immediately when they have someone stealing, and we’re there within a minute,” he said. “So we’re catching them quick. It’s not a good idea to steal in the town of Greece.”
MORE: Mall at Greece Ridge says new additions have boosted holiday traffic
Lute said cameras are everywhere — including license plate reader cameras outside.
“If we don’t catch you in the mall, we’ll catch up with you later,” he said.
Lute added the presence this year will also include New York State Police and members of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The mall also has its own security in-house. The head of that team, Jim Reed, is warning large crowds against gathering here to waste time and cause trouble.
“There are consequences. We don’t tolerate disorderly behavior,” said Reed. “We don’t tolerate criminal behavior. We are ‘pro-arrest’ here at the mall.”
Shopper Carol Wynn recalled last year what seemed to be hundreds of young people descended on the mall.
“They just terrorized everybody. It was awful,” she said. “And then they would throw them out one door, and then they’d come in another.”
Wynn welcomes the stepped-up patrols — as does Jay Wilmot, the mall’s general manager. Wilmot said when shopping, there’s no safer place to be than where the police are.
“From what we’re hearing from a lot of our customers and especially our tenants, they’re all very thankful,” said Wilmot.
He said the mall only continues to expand and offer more selections to its customers, with destinations like Boscov’s, Burlington, Goodwill and Apple Cinemas.
“It’s been a huge year for us, and we’re starting to see the dividends pay for that,” he said.
As a reminder, the mall does have a parental escort policy, put in-place last June. In short, visitors under 19 will not be allowed in the mall without a parent or legal guardian. The full policy is below:
Persons under the age of 19 are not permitted in the shopping center unless escorted by a LEGAL GUARDIAN, PARENT, AUNT, UNCLE, OR GRANDPARENT. All underage persons must remain within the company of their escort at all times. Each escort may supervise up to five youths. All persons appearing to be less than 19 years of age should be prepared to show valid identification, which includes a photograph and date of birth.
Valid forms of identification include:
- Driver License
- Non-driver ID Card
- College Identification
- Passport
- Visa
- Military Identification
Individuals under the age of 19 will be permitted to patronize retailers that have an independent exterior entrance. However, they must be accompanied by an authorized escort to enter the remainder of the shopping center.
Exemptions: Members of the United States Military are exempt from this policy.
Military photo identification is required.
The Mall at Greece Ridge and merchant employees under the age of 19 will be exempt from this policy during their scheduled working hours only.