Showing Id to go to the mall

[sophia jane]

That's the big news where I live- the local mall, a very nice one in a fairly wealthy community which just happens to sit smack in the middle of Milwaukee (yes, it's a suburb that is literally in the middle of Milwaukee), has had some complaints and some disturbances in recent weeks. As one of the measures to keep the mall "safe," people are going to be carded at the entrance to the mall. Supposedly, only people under 22 or so will be carded because many of the problems recently have been by teens. There's already a very visible police presence inside the mall and in the parking lot, so this is their newest "fix."

Thoughts?

I don't know how I feel about it. It's a really great mall, lots of interesting stores as well as high end stores. But the idea right now (the not so publicly discussed idea, I mean) is that the wealthier patrons would really like to keep out the "undesirables" which I can tell you from listening to the talk and from seeing the way the mall works, means they want to cut out all the minorities and all the teens. I have a problem with that, particularly as this mall is the only one that's close for the people who live in my town and in this part of Milwaukee. I'm all for safety precautions, but I have to wonder if this ID thing is just going to be a way to selectively discriminate at the door.

Anyone else heard of a program like this? Very interested in hearing opinions.

 

[cantdog]

People are frightened to death of their children. Kids are always 'the wrong element.'

 

[R. Richard]

Hey, aint no problem for me. I gots a fake ID!

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

That's been proven illegal, if i remember correctly.

 

[rgraham666]

What's the use of being wealthy if you can't determine who is allowed to share your space?

Christ, you'd think we lived in an egalitarian society or something.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I have two strange thoughts about this.

1) So they card everyone under the age of 22. What does that prove? That they have a card? What happens if you toddler loses his card? Does he have to go without Pampers until the great gods of state can issue another?

2) So, now they've carded everyone under 22. Who's to decide which names should be on the "Undesireable" list? Do they include child molesters, even though the molester is over the age of 22? What about bank robbers and murderers? Could a child make the list for such haneous infractions as "running in the halls" or "Shooting spit-wads?"

I think someone needs to think this one through a little better

 

[pop_54]

Blue water shopping centre (mall)... the biggest in UK... recently banned all youths wearing hooded tops as the regulars complained it was scary seeing yobs with hoods up lurking menacingly around the place as though in disguise... Bloody inconvenient cos now all the muggers, reprobates, and spray paint artists have to risk being recognised.

 

[cloudy]

That's been proven illegal, if i remember correctly.

No, it's perfectly legal, because a mall is private property. They can pick and choose who they let on their own property.

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately gang violence at Mall's seems to be increasing. That drives away shoppers, forces stores to close, and puts people out of work.

Is there an answer consistent with free access?

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

No, it's perfectly legal, because a mall is private property. They can pick and choose who they let on their own property.

meh... Must have been something else i was thinking of, then. A stadium or something maybe?

 

[scheherazade_79]

I never quite get why teens want to hang out at malls

Isn't it more fun playing in woods or green spaces, where you can push the boundaries without being busted and pissing off adults?

 

[rgraham666]

Let's not forget one of the main reasons that 'Under 22s' are banned.

They don't spend as much money as the 'Over 22s' and scare off the people who do spend money.

Money talks and bullshit walks, after all.

 

[R. Richard]

Money talks and bullshit walks, after all.

Yeah. But it never hurts to make sure!