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June 2, 2021 Updated: June 2, 2021 2:46 p.m.
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A shopping center in western Pennsylvania says it will install surveillance cameras and take other measures to beef up security following criticism from officials after gunfire that sparked a foreclosure and an evacuation of buyers over Memorial Day weekend.
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office and Ross Township Police had criticized Ross Park Mall officials after the gunfire on Saturday, saying mall operators refused requests for cameras to be installed, although that some individual stores have them.
Simon Property Group, Inc., based in Indianapolis, said in a statement that the company is already doing a good job of maintaining security at its facilities, but “as a further step we will soon begin the process of securing CCTV cameras at Ross Park Mall and South Hill Village. “
Simon Property Group said it is also adding “a K9 weapon detection program to improve indoor patrols” at the mall. The company is already using police and private security to patrol inside and outside the mall and is working with law enforcement and retailers to prepare for potential emergencies, the statement said.
“These programs have enabled us to obtain security certification from the Homeland Department of Security,” company officials wrote.
Authorities said a brawl on May 29 between five or six people in the mall resulted in gunfire, prompting stores to close and shoppers to evacuate. No one was hurt. Two teenagers face guns and related charges after being taken into custody and police have recovered three guns, authorities said.
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