Printer
TextMall Police Officers
If you’re like millions of others across
America, you may have seen the new movie Paul Blart:Mall Cop. Not all
officers, however, are like Paul Blart: they don’t patrol on Segways,
snack on candy all day long or hang around in arcades.
What do officers assigned to the mall do? Working side by side with mall security, officers work long hours, every day of the week, to help keep mall businesses, employees, shoppers and diners safe.
Meet a real “Mall Cop”: Fairfax County Police Officer Jim Rattal, stationed at Fair Oaks Mall.
Q. What sorts of crimes do you see (and try to prevent) at malls?
A. Mainly, crimes against property. Larcencies, embezzlement, credit card theft and fraud, shoplifting and reuniting lots of “lost” parents and children.
Q. What are the differences between mall
police officers and mall security officers?
A. Mall police carry weapons and enforce the Code of Virginia (laws) in the malls. The public may not realize that malls are private property. People are expected to follow the rules of conduct at the mall. Sometimes, the mall visitors don’t realize this and problems arise. Mall staff can (and do) ban people from the mall or certain stores on occasion.
Mall officers also serve a vital customer service role; they help people locate their vehicles, help them when they are locked out and offer a jump start.
Q. What are some of the Rules of Conduct that people need to know?
A. People are not allowed to take photos at the mall. They aren’t allowed to yell, to sleep, to throw things, ride skateboards or wear bandanas. For more of the rules, call the security office at 703-359-8302.
Q. Are malls in Fairfax safe?
A. Absolutely. Remember; you are being watched. Many of the department stores, as well as other, smaller stores, have sophisticated camera monitoring systems to help thwart shoplifting. Most likely, if you try it, you will get caught.
Q. Is there a “typical” shoplifter?
A. We’ve arrested men, women and children between the ages of 10 and 70; there is no “typical” sort of shoplifter.
Q. Any advice for people visiting the mall?
A. Keep your children within eye-sight at all times. Too many people leave their young children, as young as 3 and 4 years old, at the play area and then go do their shopping. The children end up looking around for their parents, don’t see them and start to panic. This is not only illegal (neglect), but it’s very dangerous as well.
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