PARAMUS, N.J. (PIX11)– It’s what teens have done for decades: go out on their own without supervision when they go to the mall.
That is, until now. Teens who want to go to the Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus, New Jersey, during certain hours of the week will need a chaperone or guardian present during their visit.
“I see a lot of fighting going on and sometimes, ya know, they just overcrowd a lot,” said Chanel who works at the mall.
Chanel says she’s witnessed fights and police responding to those fights at the Garden State’s second-largest mall.
In response, mall management decided to institute a mandatory chaperone policy for children 17 and younger, every Friday and Saturday evening from 5 p.m. to closing time.
Friday marked the first day of that new policy.
“We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for our guests to enjoy while shopping, dining, or attending an event,” mall management said in a statement.
Management also said they created a policy to ensure everyone feels comfortable in the shopping center and can enjoy their experience.
Now, minors who want to enjoy their shopping experience will have to be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult who’s 21 or older during designated times. Those who fail to produce valid identification verifying their age may be asked to leave the mall.
