Gunman in the Mall, right now!!!!!

[carebear]

Plus, mall security is there, primarily, to keep the place "shoppable", not merely "safe".

Who wants to deal with the chaos that would ensue if those idiot teen hanger-outer's weren't held in check by some sort of authority? (and no, in the real world, that can't be "us" and apparently will never be their "parents")

The not dangerous but annoying psycho bum who walks around panhandling? The wanna-be tough guys intimidating women and decent people but not actually breakling any law or crossing the line to where a response is justified? What about intimidating and apprehending shoplifters, is the 16 yr old girl at Sunglass Hut gonna do that?

If they weren't necessary, be sure that Mall's and other businesses wouldn't pay for them. Security has a job to do, and they put up with more crap on a daily basis without wigging-out and busting skulls than I could take in a week. Give 'em a break.

 

[spacemanspiff]

i apologize, my comment wasnt meant to offend.
my statement was made based on my personal experience in dealing with 'private security'. as you all know, everyone up here in alaska is just a little bit nuttier than in the lower 48, so my statement probably doesnt fit the rest of the nation.

unfortunately the job pool up here doesnt have a springboard into military or law enforcement from the private security arena. many of our malls/theaters that employ private security (both armed and unarmed) have had their employees for several years. they are often the ones with denied applications to the law enforcement world.

it sounds like in the states, the options are much greater, turnover rates are better, and it offers more potential for those dedicated to their work. over the last 2 years there has been more than 10 instances where the private security guard that 'secures' the office building i work at has been left completely unlocked, even after the guard has come by twice in his rounds. entrances are left completely open, elevators not locked down, etc.
it has been so bad that the building manager herself will stop by the building to make sure they are doing their job right.
we have seen the new hires at the range to qualify for carrying their issued hipoint handguns. i have heard one new hire ask when filling out the paperwork prior to qualifying "this question about being convicted of a felony, whats exactly a 'felony'?"

so my experiences have been negative. but even if they were positive, i still am disheartened that the majority of people in this country still want to rely on someone else to protect them.