This chapter delves into the contrasting behaviors of mall Santas during the holidays, from dedicated performers to casual actors, and shares amusing anecdotes about their interactions with children and parents. It transitions to discussing the experiences and challenges faced by mall cops, including dealing with missing children, humorous dynamics amongst mall cop groups, and a serious incident involving a delayed response to a domestic abuse situation. The chapter also explores the unique environment of malls, from quirky store employees to favorite food court options.
Gus Parsons is a security professional who worked for 10 years as a mall cop in San Diego, CA, where he was born and raised.
Theo is joined by a mall cop to talk about everything that’s going on behind the scenes at America’s malls. They chat about the training process, dealing with drunk Santas, and what’s really been going on at Hot Topic.