Jul 3, 2008 5:42 pm US/Central
NorthPark Looks At Security After Several Crimes
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
NorthPark Center, the popular mall in Dallas, is having its best year ever.
Unfortunately, criminals are also having a good year at NorthPark.
During a five week span, one person was shot, burglars broke into a jewelry store and an ATM was ripped from the lobby of a business at the mall.
Until now, NorthPark officials have refused to publicly address the security issues at the mall. But today they did, and they said they want to take a fresh look at security.
The mall has hired an outside audit firm to look at its security and recommend ways to improve it. The mall would not identify the company, only saying it is a firm that specializes in both retail and security issues.
Until they get those recommendations, the mall will be increasing security patrols.
It has also added to the reward for the crime that first brought it recent unwanted publicity.
It's now offering $50,000 for information on the shooting and attempted carjacking of Mary Boyd, who was attacked on May 16th as she waited in a NorthPark parking lot.
Then on June 2, five armed men stole $250,000 worth of Rolex watches from a mall jewelry store. No one was caught.
Just last week someone ripped an ATM out of a lobby at the Nordstrom store. Nonetheless, NorthPark shoppers we talked to seem unfazed. "I think it's a lot better now," said shopper Tiffany Maxfield.
NorthPark has a lot riding on perceptions like Maxfield's. It estimates a record 26 million shoppers will walk through its doors this year.
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