Mall of America takes steps to guard against repeat of melee

Extra security fanned out around the Mall of America on Wednesday in a show of strength designed to prevent a repeat of last year's day-after-Christmas melee involving dozens of teenagers and young adults at the iconic mall.
Last year's disturbance, the worst violence to hit the mall in 15 years, drew national attention when footage surfaced on YouTube. Earlier that day, rumors spread on Twitter and Facebook that rap stars Lil Wayne and Drake were going to perform at the mall, attracting crowds of teenagers and young adults.
This year, the mall's 150-strong security force beefed up patrols, mostly to enforce an expanded policy that requires people younger than 16 to be escorted by someone 21 or older from 4 p.m. to close. The policy, rolled out over Black Friday weekend, will be in place until the end of the year, mall spokesman Dan Jasper said.


Mall of America takes steps to guard against repeat of melee | StarTribune.com