WACO, Texas — Visitors to Waco's Richland Mall under the age of 18 may soon need to have a parent or guardian with them during certain operating hours, according to a new policy announced by the mall.
The mall has announced that it will begin enacting a Youth Escort Policy beginning Sept. 27, which will be in effect from 5 p.m. to close every Friday and Saturday, or "any other time at the discretion of management".
The policy will be in effect for the entire mall except for stores with exterior entrances, said the mall, such as Dillard's, Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenny, Overstock and Tilt Studio. The policy reportedly includes walkways and "any corridor leading to the mall".
The mall also said unsupervised shoppers under 18 will not be allowed to "congregate" in the parking lot or exterior common areas.
The entire policy can be read below:
- Richland Mall visitors under 18 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years or older on Friday and Saturday evenings after 5 p.m., or at any other time the policy is in effect.
- Security will begin monitoring those entering the center at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Unescorted youth shopping prior to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings must leave the mall by 5 p.m. or be joined by a parent or guardian.
- Unescorted youth will be asked to leave the center after 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, or any other time the policy is in effect.
- Individuals utilizing public or other forms of transportation must schedule their departure time to ensure compliance with the 5 p.m. youth/guardian policy.
- Individuals in violation of the Richland Mall YEP program or in violation of any posted mall rules that refuse to leave the mall when requested to do so by mall security officers may be prosecuted for trespassing.
- Proof of age will be required if the age of the youth and/or parent or legal guardian is not easily determined. Those whose age cannot be determined and who lack identification will be asked to the leave the property.
- Acceptable identification is a photo ID from a state agency, school or employer.
- Youth under 18 working in the mall will be allowed to access without parent or legal guardian, proof of work status will be required and employees must go directly to place of employment and must leave the mall at the conclusion of their work shift, if after 5 p.m. on Friday and/or Saturday evenings, or at any other time the policy is in effect.
- One parent, over 21 years of age, may escort all his/her children. Additionally, one parent or guardian, over 21 years of age, may escort up to three (3) youths, at least one of the youths must be the child of the parent or guardian.
- Parents or guardians are responsible for the actions of the escorted youth.
- Any person violating the posted rules of behavior will be asked to leave Richland Mall.
- If an escorted youth is banned from the center, the adult escort will also be banned for the same period.
- Security personnel are responsible for enforcing this policy and the procedures.
- Richland Mall YEP guidelines are posted at all mall entrances.
More information on the policy or the Richland Mall can be found on its website at this link.
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