NCJ Number
57452
Journal
Security World Volume: 16 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1979) Pages: 20-22,49-53
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE VARIED PROBLEMS FACING A SHOPPING CENTER SECURITY FORCE ARE ILLUSTRATED BY EXAMINING THE OPERATIONS OF THE PHOENIX, ARIZ., METROCENTER OPERATION, WHICH USES 15 PEOPLE AND SOPHISTICATED ELECTRONICS.
Abstract
SHOPPING CENTER SECURITY OFFICERS PROTECT THE PROPERTY OF OWNERS AND TENANTS AND RENDER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC. GENERAL DUTIES INCLUDE PREVENTING VANDALISM (100 INCIDENTS IN 1978); THEFT (66 FROM STORE OR PERSON AND 46 FROM VEHICLES); HANDLING ADULT AND JUVENILE DISTURBANCES (200 CASES); WATCHING FOR VIOLATIONS OF LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAWS; REPORTING SAFETY HAZARDS; HANDLING SHOPLIFTING CASES (94); INVESTIGATING AUTO ACCIDENTS HAPPENING ON THE PRIVATE PARKING LOT (111 IN 1978); RENDERING FIRST AID; AND TAKING CARE OF SUCH MISCELLANEOUS COMPLAINTS AS LOST CHILDREN, TOWED VEHICLES, INDECENT EXPOSURE, AND NARCOTICS VIOLATIONS. FRAUDULENT CREDIT CARDS AND CHECKS ARE INITIALLY HANDLED BY THE SECURITY FORCE (49 CASES) AND IN 1978 THERE WERE FOUR ARMED ROBBERIES AND ONE ATTEMPTED RAPE. GOOD PERSONNEL SELECTION AND GOOD TRAINING ARE THE KEY TO HANDLING SUCH A VARIETY OF DUTIES. THIS TRAINING MUST COVER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, CROWD CONTROL, FIRST AID, FIRE AND BOMB THREAT SAFETY PROCEDURES, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS. CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, SOPHISTICATED TELEPHONE PAGE SYSTEMS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC AIDS ARE ALSO USED TO HELP THE FORCE PATROL THE MALL, WHICH CONTAINS ABOUT A MILE WITHIN ITS ENCLOSED PERIMETER. IN ADDITION, THE MAJOR STORES HAVE THEIR OWN SECURITY FORCES. TWO TABLES LIST NORMAL SECURITY OPERATIONS FOR A SHOPPING CENTER AND GIVE 1978 STATISTICS FOR METROCENTER. (GLR)