Holiday Shopping Brings Increased Crime Awareness
By: Sabiya Woods
Issue date: 12/13/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The holiday season is here and officials say the theft rates in historic West End Mall has increased. Storeowners and managers have been cracking down on this problem by improving their loss prevention programs.
Stores inside the West End Mall have been developing programs to protect their merchandise. According to employees, both stores 579 and Rainbow make their customers check their bags in the front of the store before they begin their shopping experience. Footlocker has a two-shoe per customer policy, which only allows a customer to try on two pairs of shoes at a time.
Rainbow's store manager, Latoya Thomas said, "Its our job to protect our customers, the merchandise and the best interest of the store. We want our customers to feel safe and be morally sound."
Officials said theft rates have been climbing since mid-October, the beginning of the holiday season.
"During the holidays all malls experience more business than usual and our primary objective is to provide a safe environment for our customers to shop. Therefore, we do employ more security just for the holiday season," said Richard A. Dent, general manager of The Mall West End.
"A lot of people are just pressed to do for their families around this time, but I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary and I shop at this mall regularly," said community native Nicole Brown.
The West End Mall is a shopping destination for a whole community, which includes native residents, Atlanta University Center students and visitors. Although, the mall is in a high traffic area, officials and mall workers are adamant about making customers feel comfort and safety during their shopping experience.
Stores inside the West End Mall have been developing programs to protect their merchandise. According to employees, both stores 579 and Rainbow make their customers check their bags in the front of the store before they begin their shopping experience. Footlocker has a two-shoe per customer policy, which only allows a customer to try on two pairs of shoes at a time.
Rainbow's store manager, Latoya Thomas said, "Its our job to protect our customers, the merchandise and the best interest of the store. We want our customers to feel safe and be morally sound."
Officials said theft rates have been climbing since mid-October, the beginning of the holiday season.
"During the holidays all malls experience more business than usual and our primary objective is to provide a safe environment for our customers to shop. Therefore, we do employ more security just for the holiday season," said Richard A. Dent, general manager of The Mall West End.
"A lot of people are just pressed to do for their families around this time, but I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary and I shop at this mall regularly," said community native Nicole Brown.
The West End Mall is a shopping destination for a whole community, which includes native residents, Atlanta University Center students and visitors. Although, the mall is in a high traffic area, officials and mall workers are adamant about making customers feel comfort and safety during their shopping experience.
