KENTWOOD, Mich. — Beginning this Saturday, a significant change is set to take place at Woodland Mall. Any individual under the age of 18 will now be required to have an adult by their side while inside the mall. This new parental supervision policy becomes effective on Saturdays starting at 6 p.m. Ensuring a Safe and Enjoyable Shopping Experience for All
Background and Rationale
Preit, the owner of Woodland Mall, has made this decision in response to the issue of large groups of unsupervised minors disrupting the shopping environment. As Tony DeLuccia, the general manager of Woodland Mall, stated, "Woodland Mall is dedicated to providing a welcoming space for all our guests. This policy aims to ensure that our visitors can have a pleasant shopping experience while also creating a secure work environment for mall employees."The policy stipulates that on Saturdays after 6 p.m., any child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is over 21 years old. It is important to note that one adult can accompany up to 4 kids, and there must be a family relationship between the adult and the child. This measure is designed to maintain order and ensure the safety of everyone within the mall.Impact on Store Employees
While the policy affects minors, store employees who are under 18 will still be allowed to continue working past 6 p.m. on Saturdays. However, individual store managers will be responsible for coordinating with the mall regarding these young employees. This ensures that the work environment remains stable and that the needs of both the employees and the customers are met.Enforcement and Consequences
If any children are found violating the policy, they will be asked to leave the mall property. This strict enforcement is in place to uphold the integrity of the shopping environment and to ensure that the policy is followed. By taking this action, Woodland Mall hopes to set an example and encourage parents to be responsible for their children's behavior.It is important to note that the supervision policy may be extended to other days and hours during the busy holiday shopping season. This shows the mall's commitment to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors throughout the year.For more information on the full policy, please visit Woodland Mall's website. Stay connected with FOX 17 on Facebook – X (formerly Twitter) – Instagram – YouTube for the latest updates.
