On Monday night Baltimore County Council unanimously passed a resolution to request some policy changes from White Marsh Mall.
The resolution calls for the mall to increase the amount of visible security and require all people younger than 16 to have an adult with them past 5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
The resolution, however, is nothing more than a suggestion, one that White Marsh Mall General Manager Mary Williams does not plan to listen to.
In a statement Williams said:
“At this point in time, we do not have plans to implement a parental guidance required program. We constantly review and evaluate our security procedures, but do not publicly discuss details of these protocols. Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of everyone who walks through our doors.”
Baltimore County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins introduced the resolution because she said some of the teens and children that visit the mall have become a problem for other shoppers.
“It’s loud it’s vulgar it’s not getting out of people’s ways,” Bevins said. “The food courts kids are kind of taking over the food courts. People just don’t feel safe. I want them to have a nice experience. “
Bevins started fighting for change after a brawl in the food court in August involving a large crowd, Seven teens and two adults were arrested.
“I do not understand why they don’t want to do the policy,” Bevins said. “Hunt Valley it works, The Avenue it works, it’s sister mall Towson Town it’s working.”
Council Chairman Julian Jones is concerned about the measure because it further limits safe options for kids after school.
“I often hear from people complaining about the kids and I always ask are they doing anything wrong? It’s not the kids' problem if you’re nervous and you think something is wrong because you see a large crowd of kids. It’s not their problem, that’s your problem.”
Williams was not at Monday’s meeting and Bevins said that she has not been receptive to the malls request.
“They just didn’t want to pin themselves into a policy yet,” Bevins said. “They wanted to wait and I just don’t what the right time is and why they are so hesitant.”
