Mayfair Mall 'Disturbance'

Once again, Mayfair Mall was the site of a serious 'disturbance' involving mobs of teens.

The latest trouble occurred Sunday evening. I guess the thugs weren't interested in the Packer game.

Unfortunately, the mall's rules requiring those under 18 to be supervised by an adult aren't in place on Sundays. Those rules were established in 2007, following repeated disturbances at Mayfair.

The thugs were apparently so out of control and the fear of escalating violence and damage was so intense that they forced Mayfair Mall to close early. Police shut it down.

I can't imagine how bad things must have been to put the entire mall on lockdown and then close it.

What's especially troubling about this incident is the refusal by authorities to provide information about what happened.

It's a really stupid move. Rumors are filling the void. For example, was there gunfire? Was there looting inside Boston Store?

Here are media reports:

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel : Mayfair Mall closes early after tumult
TMJ4: Police Close Mayfair Mall After Disturbance

FOX 6 News: Disturbance shuts down Mayfair Mall 1/2 hour early

WISN: 'Group Of Youth' Causes Disruption At Mayfair Mall In Wauwatosa, Very Few Details About Incident Being Released

Video:

WISN

TMJ4



Photos:

WISN
Journal Sentinel

According to TMJ4, two hours after the mall was closed, crowds of teens remained in the area. One male was asked, "Why were you doing that?" He responded, "I don't know. Just trying to have fun."


Unbelievable.

It's terrible that police aren't giving any official word on what exactly happened.

"Wauwatosa Mayor Jill Didier told 12 News there was 'definitely a disruption' that forced the mall to close early."

No kidding.

Mayfair Mall did release this statement:

“What occurred this afternoon appears to be a group of youth intent on disrupting the shopping experience at Mayfair. The safety and security of our visitors are always our top priority. This behavior is isolated and we will not condone it. To assist police earlier in identifying and apprehending suspects, we made the decision to close the mall shortly before our regular closing time. We anticipate there will be consequences as a result of what happened today. We are thankful for the support of our public safety team and the Wauwatosa Police Department. We are even more thankful there were no injuries as a result of the youth’s careless actions.”

"Consequences"?

Mall officials anticipate "consequences as a result of what happened"?

I suppose that means more rules placing restrictions on young people at the mall.

I think a consequence of this violence will be more shoppers will avoid Mayfair.

I also think it's a bit weird that the statement refers to the "youth's careless actions."

I wouldn't call their actions "careless." Their thug behavior was clearly intentionally disruptive, destructive, and violent.

It really is inexcusable for Wauwatosa police to refuse to make any comments on the incident until January 3rd.

It seems like damage control to me. It seems like the mayor and mall officials are afraid to share the truth.
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UPDATE: Mayfair considering changes after teens storm mall

Mayfair Mall officials said Monday they are considering unspecified operational changes one day after dozens of young people stormed the popular mall late in the afternoon, scaring customers and store employees.

Wauwatosa police confirmed on Monday that a gun was fired outside the mall. It was not clear whether the disruption inside the mall was connected to an attempted armed robbery near a bus stop where police said the gun was fired.

One eyewitness said Monday that anywhere from 80 to 100 young people went through the Boston Store, located on the south end of the mall, about 15 to 20 minutes after security guards broke up a fight just outside the department store entrance on the mall's second floor.

...The weekend incident also raised fears that people would avoid shopping at the mall. Wauwatosa Mayor Jill Didier, who had been shopping with her daughter earlier Sunday, said the mall annually attracts millions of customers and is safe.

"It is a positive environment to go to," Didier said.

Still, Didier said the incident concerned her.

"It's always a concern when something happens in your community," she said. "You have to take it seriously."

No.

Obviously, Mayfair is not safe and it's not a positive environment.

When shopping on a Sunday during the late afternoon, one doesn't expect to encounter gunshots and mobs of marauding thugs.

The fact that Mayfair is "considering" changes rather than promising changes tells me it's not serious about protecting shoppers.

There are other places to shop.