Greece, N.Y. (WHAM) — The Greece Police Department has boots on the ground year-round at The Mall at Greece Ridge, working out of a substation in the food court.
But between Thanksgiving and the New Year, police have increased patrols there.
“Obviously, with the holiday season, we see a spike in shoppers,” said Lt. 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, so we’re catching them quick” he said. “It’s not a good idea to steal in the town of Greece.”
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.
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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 in-house security. The head of that team, Jim Reed, is warning large crowds against gathering at the mall 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.
BACKGROUND: Mall at Greece Ridge says new additions have boosted holiday traffic
“It’s been a huge year for us, and we’re starting to see the dividends pay for that,” he said.
The mall does have a parental escort policy. In short, visitors under age 19 will not be allowed in the mall without a parent or legal guardian.
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