Mall plans to cut down on violent crowds

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Simon Property Group has released its latest effort to curb violence on one of its mall properties.

Castleton Square management drafted a letter to deliver to parents who drop their children off at the shopping mall.

Read the full letter to parents

The letter requests that parents avoid leaving young people who plan to gather at the mall without shopping, eating or attending an event. 

“We find most youths are not looking for trouble and just come to the mall to meet friends and enjoy themselves. However, therein lies the problem,” the letter says. “These groups roam the mall usually without a specific purpose, and normally well-behaved individuals are now in a position to submit to peer pressure and act irresponsibly.”

New policy dictates that Simon security will break up groups of four or more teenagers walking in the Castleton Square Mall.

Rule changes came after police investigated two large fights at the mall on March 9.

Early Friday, city church leaders raised questions about Simon’s policies. 

The Ten Point Coalition met with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department with concerns that the rules might create racial profiling.  Reverend Charles Harrison of the faith-based organization said such issues have been perceived in downtown Indianapolis.

“When white kids are coming in at large numbers, the security are not approaching them the way they do a large number of black kids,” Harrison said. “We already see it, it's already being done and we don't want that to be done in Castleton.”

Hours later, the Ten Point Coalition then met with Simon Mall Executives to outline their concerns, and said some fears were put to rest.

"It was a very productive meeting," Harrison told 24-Hour News 8.

In response to the concerns, IMPD Chief Rick Hite said additional officers will be on hand at the malls. But, they will not enforce mall rules. They will focus on enforcing the law.

“We made it very clear that we’re not going to violate any civil rights and that the mall has the responsibility of enforcing their rules.  We’re there to support the laws,” Hite said.

Hite said Castleton management plan to step up off-duty police patrols during future weekends.