Two popular Montgomery County malls said they will restrict the presence of unaccompanied teenagers.
Starting Monday, visitors under 18 cannot be at Westfield Wheaton or Westfield Montgomery Malls after 3 p.m. unless they are accompanied by an adult age 21 or over. The supervising adult may accompany up to four minors.
Mall management said it’s to improve safety.
The announcements come about two months after a shooting was caught on camera outside the Cinnabon on the lower level of the Westfield Wheaton on July 31. A 13-year-old boy was shot in the leg, and a 17-year-old was arrested.
“Honestly, I think it’s a shame, especially for the community,” one teen told News4. “You know, kids love to come here, eat after school, get with their friends, meet with each other, just socialize. You know, teenage things. It’s a mall. It’s a community. It’s a public place, and you have to be here with your parents.”
“In my opinion, I feel like that’s also harsh because when I was younger, my parents didn’t have time to take me to the mall,” another said.
Everyone, including parents News4 spoke with off camera, acknowledged how incidents of violence and bad behavior likely played a role in the creation of the new rules.
“There’s like some kids that like are like doing bad stuff, like doing stuff that like you know people don’t like,” another said.
Some teens said the new policy feels heavy handed, noting they, too, spend money at the mall.
“A lot of businesses I feel like will lose a lot of money, especially with the arcade downstairs as well,” one teen said.
“Like right now, I’m having fun because I’m with my friend, but like if I had my parent here watching me, I’d be a little more like strict,” another said.
In a press release, mall management says the new parental guidance policy applies to both the interior of the mall and outdoor parking lots and common areas.
In Howard County, the Mall in Columbia has a similar youth escort policy, but it only applies on weekends.
