Posted by geng on October 10, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is so unfair. Good teenagers should have the right to go into the mall. Why punish the innocent young adults. This is managements fault anyway. Do you know how may times I have seen those kinds messing around outside only to find the security guards just sitting around taking hand having a good time inside. They don't care because if they did they would have worked harder to get rid of the trouble makers so that the good young adults can also enjoy the mall. Also this whole concept of the mall babysitting your kids seems odd to me. If you would not need a babysitter when they are home, going to work, or doing activities after school then why do they need one when they go to the mall?

Posted by penguin5612 on October 10, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I work in the retail business. You have no idea the destruction these kids do at night. Bravo!

Posted by mommakelly_64 on October 10, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope every 16 and 17 year old that works at the mall quits and never frequents it again. I also hope all high school students boycott the mall. I for one don't go to the mall, my kids don't go to the mall very often but I think it is discriminating against the good kids.

Posted by blahblah on October 10, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mommakelly...what will be interesting is when the 16-17 year olds that do work there are on their lunch hour, according to the rules, they are off the clock and should leave and return in an hour instead of eating at one of the food suppliers at the mall.

This will be very interesting.

Posted by conserveABI on October 10, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope all 16 and 17 year olds who work at the mall never frequent it again, too. More jobs for adults who need them, more teens out of the mall.

It may be true that a few bad ones have spoiled it for the whole. Perhaps the whole should have self-policed; maybe the "good" kids should have stepped up and told the boneheads to shape up.

If your argument is that it's not the good kids' responsibility to do so, I will argue it's not the mall's, either. Boom.

Posted by geng on October 10, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is our responsibility to drive the speed limit but many of us do not. We should be able to police ourselves but many of us can't. This is why we have a police department. We keep locks on things to keep honest people honest. We have security to keep honest kids honest. When security does not do their job then the only have themselves to blame.

Posted by meteoricCactus on October 10, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think this will be a positive change. When I do visit the mall I get very frustrated at the large numbers of younger teens/children(10-14) running around with no one to stop them. I find that most of the children in this age group who hang out at the mall with no supervision are generally rude, disrespectful, and anxious to be seen. I don't mind the teenagers who are actually shopping, I'm glad they are spending the money locally. However, I welcome stricter supervision guidelines. Maybe I'll shop more often.

Posted by ahs98 on October 10, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Geng...we are talking abuot the teens. there are consequences for adults who break the rules and who act inappropriatly. for teenagers, the police is their parents. as i have stated before....be a parent and do your job. when the child does wrong, you dicipline them, and teach them respect and since there are parents out there that can't seem to do their job and teach their children what the appropriate behavior is at the mall, and parents that leave the kids at the mall to do whatever.....since you won't do it...the mall is. so deal with it. you don't like it...be a better parent and step up. no wonder our teen pregnancy rates are so high!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by GettheFacts on October 10, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Blahblah - if you are stating policy please get the facts straight. According to the malls website - - Individuals under the age of 18 working in the mall will be granted access without an escort. Proof of
Employment will be required, and they must report directly to their job and leave once their shift concludes, if after 5 PM.

To reiterate "Once their shift concludes!" I don't think clocking out for lunch breaks falls under that policy.

Furthermore, if you call the mall office and simply ask you will find out that almost every store employee has a name badge on while working which is sufficient id for security.

And lastly, most mall stores are open and accessible to teens 60 plus hours a week. The new family program only asks that 4 hours on Friday and 4 hours on Saturday be utilized for family time which is great!

Posted by geng on October 10, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I do not have any kids.

Posted by weeman on October 10, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wow...now a third thread for this to pile up on. Got Milk ARN?

This is so sad...the same exact posts from the same people on a different thread. (and i guess you can include me on this one as well since i have posted on other threads)

Geng, get real man..i think its obvious that your not really 28. Your immature thinking and the way you present yourself on here either proves that your not the age you claim to be, or your really not very smart. No, im not meaning to attack you im just stating the obvious. Your rantings do not make even the slightest case against this new rule and frankly, you dont seem to make sense.

I'll say it again, I think the age should be set at 16 and under. Between the ages of 16 and 18, these young adults (most of them anyway) are able to have jobs, can drive, and are working their way as a solid member of society with new responsibilites and so forth. I know as a 16 yr old at one time, that when i started working and getting paid, there was nothing that said freedom like being able to go buy things for myself withouth having to mooch off the folks..Taking their "free" time from them does seem unfair....however for those that are under 16, i think this is a great rule and will generate a more friendly environment for all to enjoy. According to ARN's recent poll, 70% of the people polled, agree that the mall made the right decision. The minority are either teenagers themselves OR parents that need a place to drop their kids off.

I hope that the mall considers changing the age to 16 but beyond that, this is a great new rule.

~ Chaz

Posted by Patriot on October 10, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets get rid of the mall walkers also. They have caused me more problems than any teen there.

Posted by Texan55 on October 10, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For all you young people that will boycott the Mall, I have one thing to say, GOOD!

Posted by justme on October 10, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sixteen, and for one think it's a really good thing.
I can't stand the people my age that go there.
Half of them are always shoplifting, smoking pot outside the theater, or fighting.

Unfortunetly because of the idiots that can't grow up, I can't go either.

Posted by ahs98 on October 10, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

so geng, you have no children. that makes it a bit more clear as to why you are so uptight about this whole thing. most of the people you hang out with are probly the young ones. if you had children, then you would understand how most parents with young children feel. and you would also understand more about what a parent's responsibility is to their child. When i had no kids...yeah, i thought the same way you think today. but since i have had my children...my thought process has changed completely and i see the bigger picture. i don't have that entitlement to tunnel vision anymore.

Justme: it is unfortunate that the bad ones are the reason why you can't go and enjoy behaving yourself at the mall. and its only a total of 4 hrs on fr and 4 hrs on sat. during that time, maybe parents can get their kids involved in something more productive...say like homework and studying...or even chores?!!! oh no....oh yes, i went there!!!!

Posted by geng on October 10, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stop posting!!! This is not a place to say stupid things about each other. Let’s talk about the issue. Stop flinging mud.

Posted by Bluethunder on October 10, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

NOT FAIR????? who cares if its not fair.. fair to who? The kids or the shoppers? Sorry but the shoppers win on this. Businesses have the right to refuse service, admitance, etc... You have the right to not shop there. Dont like it.. go elsewhere. If you think its not fair..well all I can say is sorry you feel you are ENTITLED.. you are not.

KUDOS to the mall for implementing this program.

Posted by Texan55 on October 10, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There no more to say that hasn't been said geng. Get over it.

Posted by furankuoogata on October 10, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i am hoping that the teens that get banned will refuse to go back and keep that ban as they grow up, today's teens are tomorrow's adults! good job Mall, shoot yourself in the foot. i remember the fun things i did as a teen and those places are nostalgic, i tell my kids of them and they have gone and spent money there... you are dumb, i won't go in support of those teens who are not allowed to go. pretty soon they will have a cover charge (to ensure you aren't window shopping)...

Posted by mbs0606 on October 10, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

fura....... (whatever your name is)- It's 2 stinking days. What is the big deal. If the kids want to go to the mall, they still can. It's not every night. Did you hear what fura... said, "you are dumb" Mall of Abilene. Please, grow up.

Posted by mommakelly_64 on October 10, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's the two stinking days that these kids don't have homework, after school activities, sports ect... why can't the ban be 2 evenings during the week? Why can't it be under 16 year olds? How many people actually take young children to shop from even 6-9pm? And how is shopping in the mall, family time? Shouldn't family time be spent in a park, at home playing a board game or even at Gattis or Chuck E Cheese? You old farts forgot what it's like to be a young adult!

Posted by sharpshooter on October 10, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great plan...kids under 18 that are allowed to roam the streets after dark are from homes that the parents just want them out of their hair anyway. POOR PARENTING!!!!

Posted by cyndigarcia on October 10, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The mall is not a babysitter for parents whom don't want to deal with there kids. I have seen far to many kids there all day without parents asking for money and being loud just acting stupid.. I am glad that this has happened, I will be glad to go back to the mall. and I am sure this will help business there.
Yes I have 3 girls, 12,14, and 15 they love the mall but I would never take them there and drop them off.

Posted by 1324rich on October 10, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I THINK IT'S GREAT MY DAUGHTER WORK AT THE MALL SHE GET TO KEEP 1/2 OF HER CHECK AND SAVE THE OTHER 1/2, THE MONEY SHE GET TO KEEP IT'S ALL SPENT OUT AT MALL. NOW SHE WILL GO SPEND IT SOME WHERE ELSE. I THINK THE MALL SALES WILL GO DOWN, AND MORE SHOPS WILL CLOSE DOWN. THEN WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO.

Posted by TexasTwister on October 10, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"why can't the ban be 2 evenings during the week?"

Gee...let's ponder that for a minute. Hmmm...ya think maybe..just maybe..that the major problems with kids are taking place on Fri. and Sat. nights and not weekdays?

I guess to be even more convenient, you'd like them to the move the ban to Tue. & Wed. mornings from 9 to 11?

Use some common sense and logic.

Posted by blueneck on October 10, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone that looks young is going to be hassled. Anyone under 30 should be prepared to produce ID's. "under the age of" is the only group that it is legal to discriminate against. Most "under the age of" rules are wise. In this case it is discrimination because you can. I see no wisdom, no sensitivity, just happy, happy spin on a unnecessarily broad negative edict.

Posted by Texan55 on October 10, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The people complaining about the ban really need to get a life! They act like it's the end of the world. At the present, with the economy, war, and all the mayhem, the end of the world as we know it is a very real possibility. What will you do if you have no Mall to babysit your kids?

Posted by bigdaddy5 on October 10, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

1324rich - shut up! that is one of the stupidest things I have heard in a very long time

Your daughter will still shop there with you, or any other days beside 5-9pm on Friday and Saturday.

blueneck - you are really a redneck aren't you?

WOW - I am amazed of the crazy ideas and stupid comments about this topic.

Posted by britlit1964 on October 10, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bravo, Mall of Abilene! I may actually find shopping there to be a pleasant experience with your new policy!

I usually avoid the mall like the plague because I got tired of having teen-agers racing around, forcing me to move for them. I am disabled and move slowly with assistive devices. If I need to go to a particular mall store, I simply go to their entrance, buy what I need and leave.

This past Saturday evening, I ventured into the Mall because my son was in town and could help me. TWICE, in the hour or so that we were there, teen-agers running about like idiots came within an inch of knocking me over. My son yelled at them but they didn't even stop or slow down to apologise. I just wanted to leave after the second near-miss and we went elsewhere to shop.

With the new program, folks like myself can at least have two evenings to shop without having to worry about being knocked over!

Posted by Zoey on October 10, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

geng you don't even have any kids and you are throwing a fit!!! WOW ! 3 words...get over it !!!

Posted by geng on October 10, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

4 words zoey --- you don't get it.

Posted by blueneck on October 10, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep, I am redneck with a very full life with very strong opinions that I will continue to voice no matter what brain dead ad hominem idjits say.

Here's another one for you. See http://www.mallofabilene.com/info/par...

"Youth Employment -- Individuals under the age of 18 working in the mall will be granted access without an escort. Proof of employment will be required, and they must report directly to their job and leave once their shift concludes, if after 5 PM."

*"leave once their shift concludes"*

How shortsighted, overbearing, and stupid is that? Yep, you are are responsible enough to hold down a job, but we don't want you here unless you are working just because you are in the wrong age range. We don't want your money, we don't want you to be here. Right.... There are other similar little gems of arrogance scattered throughout the "rules".

All the mall would have to do is add "loitering" to the rules of conduct and hire enough guards to enforce it. No need for this "family friendly" spin. Toss out and ban the trouble makers. Leave everyone else alone.

But, no, it is easier and cheaper to ban everyone of a certain age group.

Notice also it says "Mall of Abilene reserves the right to increase and/or reduce the dates and times of these restrictions. " I reckon this is a trial balloon for increased restrictions.

Posted by mstiah on October 10, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

geng,
If your not a parent and are not a teen why are you so concerned about having these kids hang around the mall unsupervised? Whats in it for you exactly?

Posted by Abilene_Libertarian on October 10, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's their mall. Their rules. Your choice of where else to shop.

Posted by forjustalark on October 10, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lets face it if it was any other age group that they were banning then this would be a whole different story. I know lets have a night of safe drivers and ban all the old people from the mall on Sundays.

Posted by forjustalark on October 10, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh opps the mall is closed Sunday night. Well you get the point.

Posted by forjustalark on October 10, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well the mall is one place that I will not be going to now. This whole thing is stupid. I can only ponder, do they think that this will solve all their problems? I also think that the mall will suffer for this.

Posted by forjustalark on October 10, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By Mike Pare, Chattanooga Times/Free Press Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Mar. 29--Off-duty Chattanooga Police Department officers providing security at Hamilton Place will not enforce the mall's new teen curfew policy, Chief Jimmie Dotson said Wednesday.

"My police officers won't be enforcing their policy," Chief Dotson said. "As far as asking people to leave the mall, my officers will not be involved in that. I've warned the mall managers."
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi...

Posted by forjustalark on October 10, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is considered age discrimination by the way. If you don't believe me then check out: http://www.youthrights.net/index.php?...

Posted by abideejay on October 10, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe that its taken three different threads for this! It's the same people saying the same thing over and over. geng, go away. Don't shop at the mall then! I sure won't miss you. So what if APD chooses to not enforce the rules? It's not their mall. So what if you think it's age discrimination? The mall is private property, and they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. For those of you that are so against this policy, you should step into the shoes of someone who works in the mall. It's tough keeping an eye on these kids, while ringing up a line full of customers, trying to help someone find their size, and letting people into the fitting rooms. You want to know some of the disgusting things teenagers have done in the store where I work? We've found food stuffed into clothing racks. Sodas spilled onto an entire table full of shirts. All manners of biological waste in the fitting rooms. (yes, it was a teenager, I let him into the fitting room myself. He tried on 2 things and left the store without purchasing anything. I'm guessing he was about 13) We've had kids come into our store, spray themselves down with sampler cologne (it's like they're spraying themselves with OFF to get rid of mosquitoes!) and then leave.

Let me state this very clearly: We are there to take care of our customers. We are NOT there to babysit your child while they tear up the store. We are not there to make sure your child doesn't get injured while you aren't paying attention. We aren't there to continuously refold the same pile of shirts over and over and over because a group of 13 year old girls decide to unfold every shirt to see what it says, giggle, throw it on the pile, and then not buy a single thing. We aren't there to make sure your child buys appropriately fitting clothing. It's not my fault your kid came into the store and bought a tshirt with a saying on it that you don't approve of. All of these things rest on the heads of the child's parent! Step up, grow a pair, and PARENT your child for goodness sake!

If the mall chooses to restrict the hours that minors can enter the mall, guess what?! There's NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT! Quit your whining already. The mall management doesn't read these boards. Sure it might be unfair to some people. But....is it fair for others to have to listen to your little angel drop the F bomb because her B of a mother didn't give her enough money? Is it fair for others to have to dodge the herds of aimless teenagers wandering the mall? Is it fair for others to have to be uncomfortable walking out of the mall and through a group of unsupervised tweens uttering all sorts of nasty things just because you said 'excuse me, can I get through here'?

There's unfairness on both sides of this, so get over it...LIFE is not fair!

Posted by SYLVIASWEETY on October 11, 2008 at 12:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So, is it age discrimination when the clubs let the kids in only on teen night and not the other nights? Is it age discrimination when you have to be a certain age to vote, drive, rent a hotel or car or get into rated R movies?

They are not banning them completely, they are just saying that between certain hours on certain days that they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. What is so hard to understand about that?

abideejay- You hit the nail on the head!

Posted by TexasTwister on October 11, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

forjust.....surely when you Googled to find that article from 2001, you found this more recent one from 2004 that says "According to The Detroit News, sales at Eastland Mall have gone up 29 percent since the teen curfew went into effect on June 1." http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi...

Or this article about the Mall of America in Minneapolis (the largest mall in the world), "Mall of America had about 10,000 youths under 16 on any Friday or Saturday night before the policy, Bausch said. Now, there are even more shoppers on those nights." "In the year before the curfew went into effect, Mall of America had about 300 incidents involving youths under 16 that required mall officials to either issue trespassing citations or call police. The year after the policy was put into place, there were two incidents, Bausch said." http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2...

Seems this idea has been successfull everywhere it's been instituted.

Posted by TexasTwister on October 11, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One more...recent article from June 2007 Time magazine.

David Renninger, a client-relationship executive at Jones Lang LaSalle, the largest third-party manager of shopping centers in the U.S., stresses that teens remain sought-after customers even in places with curfews. "We just want them to be supervised by a parent," he says. Renninger says some tenants at Genesee Valley Center in Flint, Mich., have reported double-digit sales growth since a 5 p.m. curfew began June 8th.

Posted by stillacoopercoog09 on October 11, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is really incredibly unfair.the mall sounds more like a school with this new rule and I think this will never work.Why should the good teenagers who just wanna hang out with their friends be punished?why should they be put in the same basket with the teens who are bad?

Posted by homeedition6 on October 11, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All the people who don't like the new rule at the mall of Abilene: Pool your money and build your own, and then you can set the rules that you do like.

The management of the Mall has the right to do the way they want to. Hanging at the mall, is not being completely banned, just on weekends.
If you have ever had a bunch of young people almost run you down in the mall, then you will be more likely to understand the rule.

Posted by ahs98 on October 11, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

this is my last comment on the subject: I live in rockford, il. i was at a gas station right next to the local mall and say a couple of kids who work at the mall. i asked them about this concept regarding banning underage without parental supervision and the response from not only the teens but also other people around who heard me ask how they would feel if the mall here were to implenet the same rule...."it should be done here..and kudos for the mall in abilene." another person had said that they don't go the mall anymore since their young child was knocked over by a skateboarding teen at the mall. he would go back and enjoy shopping if that ban was to take place. i heard this from numerous people. for a trip inside the gas station to grab a pop...i was there for a good hour with many people overhearing the conversation and agreeing with the mall of abilene.

so, to recap...its a wonderful idea and more people in other parts of the US would love to see this implemented in their local malls as well.

Posted by fastdriver95 on October 11, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think its a good idea.

Posted by SMoore1032 on October 12, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is just ridiculous! Do ya'll (that oppose this) think that ranting on this thread will change the fact that this is really happening? This is a majority rules type of thing, and a MAJORITY of the kids are the problem, not just a select few that can be banned and trusted(?) not to return! Think of it as a good thing, parents, in these busy times you rarely get to see your kids, take advantage of this and get to know your "good" kids again before they become one of the "troublemakers". Give this time people, I'm sure things will relax a little later, but you gotta let the mall do thier job.
And for all you parents wanting to "boycott" and do other childish things against the mall... What is that telling the kids? That they can STILL do whatever they want because their parents are going to act just as immature and disrespectful as them?! Get real, grow up and be a good parent!
Everyone else: ENJOY THE MALL THIS WEEKEND, I KNOW I WILL!

Posted by geng on October 15, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I will not be going to the mall. I have a right to my opinion. It not you view point that makes you childish, it’s how you say it. There is no disrespect to anyone when you have a belief in something and you try to make your voice be heard. If you think that this is wrong and you stick to your guns, then you are teaching the kids a great lesson. Speak up and take a stand for what you think is right.