NCJ Number
118744
Date Published
1989
Length
176 pages
Annotation
This report presents a model for devising appropriate law enforcement and security procedures at retail shopping centers.
Abstract
Since shopping centers are increasingly becoming social, recreational, and cultural centers of the community, the first step in model development was to identify trends in the shopping center/law enforcement relationship. These trends encompass shopping center use, safety, private security, privatization (trend by the government to eliminate certain traditional services that might be performed more effectively by the private sector), and the law enforcement role. Events evaluated as to their impact on the shopping center/law enforcement relationship involved personal identification, earthquake, traffic congestion, water shortage, and security legislation mandating security officer licensing and training standards. Scenarios were devised to evaluate the future and develop policies for insuring effective law enforcement and security in shopping centers. Feasible policies were established in five phases: increase police presence at shopping centers through full-time staffing of store front substations; provide police sergeants with the necessary training in private security law; purchase equipment for an on-line computer network; provide private security patrols for shopping center parking lots; and allow private security employees to wear uniforms similar enough to the police to give the perception of a police presence. Procedures followed in developing a law enforcement management plan for shopping centers are described. Appendixes contain supplemental information on the research project. 77 references, 36 figures.