CONCORD, N.C. — The owner of the Concord Mills shopping mall says new rules are coming into play at the end of the month for kids visiting in the afternoon on certain days.
Simon, the property management group that owns Concord Mills, says the new policy goes into effect July 30. The "Youth Supervisory Program" will mean that on Fridays and Saturdays, kids under 18 years old will need a parent or any adult aged 21 and up with them after 3 p.m. If they don't have an adult with them, youth will need to leave the mall by 3 p.m. those days, or be joined by a parent or adult.
The company says acceptable proof of age may be required for either the youth or adult, which can include state-issued ID cards and driver's licenses, a military ID, a school ID card, or a passport. Anyone who doesn't have the proper ID or who doesn't abide by the new policy will be asked to leave.
Additionally, one adult can accompany up to four youth guests, and the youth guests must remain with that adult at all times. Adults will be responsible for the actions of the youth they accompany.
Simon also said store employees under age 18 can continue to work within their store during Youth Supervisory Program hours. Mall employees under 18 need to adhere to the policy if their work shift ends during those hours.
A press contact for the mall said the program was developed in response to feedback from the community and community leaders. The new policy builds on the existing safety plan and is expected to help deter disruptive activity.
An official with the Concord Police Department also shared excitement about the new program that'll go into effect July 30.
"We're happy to see the latest development. We support the mall and their decision to enact this policy," said Concord Police Department Deputy Chief Jimmy Hughes. "It is a move in the right direction. I believe this policy, if implemented properly, is going to reduce, if not eliminate, the types of juvenile disorder that we've been seeing there at the mall on the weekends."
Hughes said where the mall is private property, it will be the agency that enforces the policy. He added that CPD will continue to support to mall.
"If someone doesn't comply with the mall, and they don't leave, that becomes a trespass," Hughes explained. "Law enforcement may be called at that point and become involved. It has been a partnership working together with the mall."
CPD is also encouraging the community to get involved with National Night Out, an annual nationwide event celebrated on the first Tuesday in August to promote community-police partnerships.
The department is seeking feedback from the community for the 20th anniversary of the event in Concord. If you'd like to get involved, click here.