NEW JERSEY – The new escort policy for New Jersey’s second-largest shopping center goes into effect this weekend, requiring anyone under 18 to be accompanied by someone over 21 on Fridays and Saturdays evenings.
Garden State Plaza, one of the most profitable malls in the country with more than 300 stores, had announced the new policy earlier this month because they were apparently seeking a measure to control the teenage cases that caused a ruckus instead on weekends.
The policy comes into effect on Friday, April 28 and applies to minors visiting the mall after 5:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The measure is likely to change during the holiday season, the Paramus Mall said.
The rule says anyone under the age of 18 shopping unsupervised after 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays must leave the mall or be accompanied “immediately” by a supervising adult.
Waiting areas have been set up at the mall for children who need to be picked up when the clock strikes 5:00 p.m. One is near the AMC theaters; another is near entrance 10 on the west side of the mall and a third is located next to the food court.
Mall management will verify the identity of minors, they said. If you cannot prove that you are 18 or older, you may be asked to leave. An adult can accompany up to four minors at a time. This adult will be responsible for his behavior.
The limitation does not apply to children 10 and under, who probably wouldn’t be at the mall without a parent anyway.
Why is the mall implementing this policy now?
According to its website, “Like many malls across the country, we have seen an increase in disruptive behavior that violates the mall’s code of conduct by a small minority of young visitors. Taking this extra step in our safety measures will ensure a pleasant stay and a safe environment for our families and every member of our community, as well as for our business partners.”
If you are wondering what is considered disruptive behavior that would cause a disturbance or violate the rights or peace of other buyers, including gestures, obscenities, slurs, sexually explicit language or behavior and excessive noise or music. Not being fully dressed is also problematic. Certain clothes can also be considered offensive.
And antics are not allowed either. View the full code of conduct here.
The policy is valid indefinitely and covers all mall property, inside and out. However, restaurants and department stores may have their own policies, so shoppers are advised to check them specifically.
The policy does not apply inside movie theatres. People can enter the theater using Entrance 1 or the escalators at Entrance 17 to avoid the mall common area.
Garden State Plaza, with over 2.2 million square feet of space, is the second largest mall in New Jersey behind American Dream at the Meadowlands, which covers 3 million square feet.