Northwoods Mall announced plans Thursday to implement a Youth Escort Policy (YEP) designed to provide all of its shoppers and retailers with a family-friendly, convenient and enjoyable shopping experience.
The new policy—which will be enforced beginning Friday, September 16, 2016 — requires all mall visitors under 18 years of age to be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is 21 years of age or older on Friday and Saturday nights after 6
p.m.
The Youth Escort Policy is intended to curtail the rising number of unsupervised youth hanging out at Northwoods Mall and related disturbances occurring there on Friday and Saturday nights.
Northwoods Mall management is implementing the policy in response to feedback from local government, business leaders, and members of the community.
“We have been able to initiate a dialogue about the communitywide issue of unsupervised youth and the need for alternative activities for young people,” said Northwoods Mall General Manager Chris Ware. “Through feedback from our community including shoppers and retailers that have voiced concern about inappropriate behavior on weekend nights – we have designed a policy that will allow
Northwoods Mall to address unsupervised youth issues and provide all of our shoppers with a pleasant shopping experience.”
The conduct of unsupervised youth and young adults at Northwoods Mall has created an uncomfortable atmosphere for mall visitors and an increasing safety challenge.
“Teens and pre-teens are welcome to shop at the mall on Friday and Saturday nights,” said Ware. “We are only asking that our youth customers shop with a parent or guardian who is 21 years of age or older during six of the total 72 shopping hours the mall is open each week.”
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