Starting this weekend, teens visiting The Parks Mall at Arlington will need to be accompanied by an adult during certain hours.
After 2:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, the mall will require all visitors under the age of 18 to be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old.
The Parental Guidance Required (PGR) program is being implemented after a mob of teenagers engaged in a brawl at the mall last weekend.
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"The PGR program is intended to help provide a safe, peaceful experience at our shopping center," says Lorie Lisius, senior general manager of The Parks Mall at Arlington. "We want to reiterate that all are welcome at The Parks Mall at Arlington at any time. We simply require that during certain weekend hours, families shop together and guests under 18 are accompanied by an adult."
The move is being met with applause from the Arlington Police Department.
"We fully support their decision to initiate the Parental Guidance Required Program," says Al Jones, Arlington police chief, "which aligns with our mutual goal to collaboratively and proactively ensure the mall remains a safe and welcoming place for all visitors."
During the PGR hours, security personnel will be stationed at all mall entrances, checking IDs.
Those 18 and older will be offered wristbands. They're optional, but those who decline the wristbands may be asked for their IDs again while inside the mall.
One adult may accompany up to four youths, with no limit to the number of youths 10 and under one may accompany.
Announcements will be made inside the mall starting at 1:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, advising all unaccompanied youths to finish their shopping before the PGR program kicks in for the afternoon and evening.
The PGR program does not apply to store employees under the age of 18.
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