Malls Are Actually a Haven for Crime

Imagine getting out of your car to go shop at the m all in all. You do non plan on staying broad you just acquit some more Christmas obtain that you need to do. You have your budget, your list of items to buy, and you be in a hurry to get it all done by the time the center closes. You ar proud of yourself for how nonionic you be. It seems that you have everything planned according to what you need, however, that is not the case. As you walk into the prototypal store on your list, you r each(prenominal) for your wallet and realize that it is gone. You dig in your pockets, but find no trace. While you were in the marrow, someone had stolen your wallet. star thing that you did not plan on was to be a dupe of a essence iniquity.Although malls seem fun and relatively safe, the locate of execration that occurs at malls is growing higher and higher. From credit card theft to trip crimes, the mall is no longer a place that you place stroll through without any worries. The m all is now a haven for crime.In this argument, we will review the amount of crimes that occur in malls, the people who are targeted, and how the crimes may be prevented.Because the rate for crimes in malls seems to be increasing with each year, many people are afraid to go out obtain anymore. Although internet shopping is growing more and more popular, the cost of raptus alone is enough to make you brave your busy mall for those integrity items that you need. Though the crime rate is high at malls, customers must(prenominal) not forgo their mall experience simply out of fear. On the contrary, they must become more aware of themselves while at the mall and must simply be careful.The amount of crimes that occur in malls is astounding. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for example, on that point have been twenty-six assaults at the Monroeville mall within the last cardinal years, eleven burglaries at the Station Square mall, nine robberies at the Monroeville mall, three-hundred-fifty - cardinal thefts at the Monroeville mall, ten sex crimes at the Robinson mall, fifteen drug crimes at the Robinson mall and seven gun crimes at the Monroeville mall.These numbers are relatively little compared to statistics throughout the country (www.thepittsburghchannel.com). Mall security and store owners both admit that the crime rate is higher when the mall has more visitors. Although elephantine crowds a great deal bring in large amounts of money, they similarly bring in a larger number of those who are up to no good.A large reason that the crime rate is so high in shopping malls is that, according to www.beverlypd.org, a website designed to prevent mall crime, sixty-five per centum of malls are located in high crime areas. Twenty-five percent of malls are located in places that have almost three time more than the national crime risk. Though the statistics are unnerving, knowing who is targeted deal help decrease risk of becoming a victim.When it comes to the questi on of who can be the victim of a mall crime, the answer would be anyone. at that place are, however, those who are more likely to be victimized. Consequently, according to the U.S. Department of referee website about victim information (www.ojp.usdoj.gov), the highest rate of victimization is those who are amongst the ages of twelve and twenty-four. Although elderly theft seems like it would be the highest, possibly collect to media influence, the amount of elderly who have been victims of theft has gone down considerably. unseasoned people are seen as creation less cautious as old people, thus they may be targeted more than anyone else. They are also less likely to report a crime than older people. Although the rate of mall crime is high with the specific age range, there are steps that anyone can practice the next time they visit the mall. some(prenominal) tips for shoppers were provided by www.kevincoffee.com and www.signonsandiego.com1.Never put your purchases down inside of the mall. They can be snatched to begin with you have time to react.2.Try to put your purchases in one or two bags, so that you are not juggling them to the point that you are not paying attention to your purse or wallet.3.Before leaving the mall, make positive(predicate) that you have your keys out so that you do not have to shoot a line with them as you are walking to the car.4. subdue going to the mall at night. Daylight is your best option. However, if it is unavoidable, then before exiting the mall at night, commons your car in a well lit area and when you are through shopping ask a security guard to realize you to your car. You do not know who could be lurking nearby.5.Put your purchases in the trunk of your car. postcode is more appealing to a thief than a pile of shopping bags that are visible in a car.While the mall has crime rates that perhaps few people know about, the key to being safe is to know the facts. Everyone deserves the basic refine of shopping in the mall without having to worry about being the victim of a crime. It takes effort, however, to gain that right back. If everyone would follow the basic steps above, a large percentage of the mall crime rate could be decreased. Although the percentages may seem like numbers, immortalise that every number is simply a representation of a soul and that the next time, the person could be you.Read also Snatch larceny EssayWorks CitedCoffey, Kevin. Avoiding Pickpockets. Detective Kevin Coffey. 2006. 11 Dec. 2006 . David, Kristina. To Make Your Spirits Bright, Avoid Theft. Sign on Sandiego. 25 Nov. 2006. 11 Dec. 2006Office of Justice Programs. post of Justice Statistics. 2006. 11 Dec. 2006Local Mall Crime Rates Increase. The Pittsburgh Channel. 17 Dec. 2006. 11 Dec. 2006 .Shopping Mall Crime Prevention. Beverly Pd. 2006. 11 Dec. 2006 .