BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — Police increased patrols around Towson Town Center on Thursday after a social media flyer circulated online calling for a teen meetup described as a “Towson Mall Takeover.”
Officers and mall security were seen inside the mall keeping watch as the flyer promoted a gathering from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 18.
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Some shoppers and residents said the possibility of a large teen gathering raised safety concerns.
“That is insane. These parents need to get their kids. Please get your kids. Because this is not right for the community. We want to go out here and shop and not to feel unsafe,” Brittany Hancock, a concerned resident, said.
“I do not like (teen meet ups). They scare me,” Cheryl Ill, a Baltimore County resident, said.
She added, “It doesn’t make me want to go to the mall because I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Nancy Kreitz, also a Baltimore County resident, said, “They’re concerning because when I go to the mall I want to feel safe and actually my daughter works at the mall and I’m worried for her safety and I just wish that they had a better something better to do than to meet up at the mall.”
Baltimore County Police said they were aware of the social media post and adjusted deployment plans accordingly.
Mall officials pointed to the mall’s curfew policy posted at each entrance, stating that guests 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult age 21 or older beginning at 4 p.m. The policy is posted as a Friday and Saturday guideline, but mall officials also added Thursday to the policy.
Police said lawful gatherings are not prohibited, but criminal activity, disorderly conduct or behavior that threatens public safety would be addressed promptly and appropriately. As of late Thursday evening, there were no reports of unlawful behavior.
One resident said the increased awareness and police presence was reassuring: “That makes me feel better. I mean, it’s good that they’re aware of it. And if they have other things to do, then to have all of their officers at the mall. So it would be good if they didn’t have to do that, but it does make me feel safe.”
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