Fayette Mall will no longer allow unattended youths under 18 on weekends
The Fayette Mall will no longer allow people under 18 years of age in the building on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays without a guardian.
The move comes after a fatal shooting in the mall on Sunday that injured two bystanders.
The policy, which does not include stores with separate exterior entrances, also prohibits those under the age of 18 to be in walkways and corridors leading into the mall, according to the mall’s website. Those under 18 will not be permitted to gather in the mall parking lot or exterior areas.
The mall had previously required those under 18 to have an escort on Fridays and Saturdays after 4 p.m. When that policy was announced in February, some complained, saying that not all teens who went to the mall unattended caused problems.
The full updated mall policy is as follows:
• Fayette Mall visitors or shoppers under 18 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years or older during all mall hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or at any other time the policy is in effect.
• Security will monitor those entering the center on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
• Unescorted youth will be asked to leave the mall on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, or any other time the policy is in effect.
• Individuals in violation of the mall escort policy or any other posted rules may be prosecuted for trespassing if they refuse to leave when requested by mall security officers.
• Proof of age will be required if the age of the youth and/or parent or legal guardian is not easily determined. Those whose age cannot be determined and who lack identification will be asked to leave the property.
• Acceptable identification is a photo ID from a state agency, school, or employer.
• Youths under 18 working in the mall will be allowed in without a parent or legal guardian, but proof of work status will be required. Employees must go directly to their places of employment and must leave the mall at the conclusion of their work shifts on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, or at any other time the policy is in effect.
• One parent, over 21 years of age, may escort all his/her children. Additionally, one parent or guardian, over 21 years of age, may escort up to three youths. At least one of the youths must be the child of the parent or guardian.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for the actions of the escorted youth.
• Any person violating the posted rules of behavior will be asked to leave Fayette Mall.
• If an escorted youth is banned from the center, the adult escort will also be banned for the same period.
This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 12:10 PM.
