Behind the Scenes of Mall Security: Duties, Codes, and Curiosities

Security guards make malls feel safer, but what can they do when there’s trouble? Zachary Crockett observes and reports.

• SOURCES:
  • Gus Parsons, mall cop in the San Diego area.
  • David Levenberg, owner of Center Security Services.

• RESOURCES:
  • "Mall of America's security team will start using facial recognition software as part of safety plan," by Derek James (CBS News, 2024).
  • "The Problems Inside North America’s Largest Security Firm—and Third-Biggest Employer," by Alana Semuels (Time, 2023).
  • "Malls Work on Their Security, but Keep It in the Background," by Ronda Kaysen (New York Times, 2013).
  • Center Security Services.

• EXTRAS:
  • "NYPD subway robot, Knightscope, gets sacked after two-month pilot program," by Vineet Josan (The Ticker, 2024).
  • "The State of the American Mall," by Sapna Maheshwari (New York Times, 2021).