Ford City Mall changing weekend rules for teenagers

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One suburban shopping mall is taking steps to crackdown on incidents like fights involving young shoppers, implementing new rules as part of what officials call a mall improvement plan.

Fights are not new at shopping malls. Operations at Chicago Ridge Mall shut down after a fight broke out between two large groups last month. Police were responding to initial reports of shots fired.

After several incidents in May of 2013, North Riverside Park became the first shopping center in Illinois to implement what is known as a youth escort policy and now others are following suit.

"As evidenced of event that have happened around the country there isn't a venue that is open to the public that isn't exempt, and so we just want to be prepared," said Tracy Munno, Ford City Mall general manager.

Earlier this year the Ford City Mall was closed due to a disturbance. Video posted on YouTube shows a fight outside the mall. So Munno says to lessen the chances of this happening again changes are being made on when teenagers can visit the popular shopping destination.

"It's very important for the ownership to maintain the safety and security of the mall and have a family-friendly environment," she said.

Beginning February 13, from 6 p.m. to closing on Fridays and Saturdays, anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult aged 21 or older.

"We will ask for ID so that we make sure that they are in the care of an adult," Munno said.

Munno said while they do value teenage shoppers, those unsupervised will be asked to leave the property. However she says there will be a designated area for the teenagers to wait while a parent or adult is contacted.