New MacArthur policy aimed at teens

NORFOLK, Va. - MacArthur Center is implementing a new program requiring that anyone under the age of 18 be accompanied by a supervising adult 21 years or older after 5 p.m.

A spokesperson for MacArthur Center told WAVY.com, the effort is to "ensure the continued comfort and safety of [their] customers."

The new policy is set to go into effect on Monday, October 19.

Jim Wofford, MacArthur Center general manager said in a news release, "Over the past year we have had a significant number of youth in the center during the evenings without adult supervision. When you have such a large amount of unsupervised youth together, it is difficult to provide a safe environment - safety must always be our number one priority."

Implementing this type of policy may prove difficult, but according to Wofford, persons in question will be approached and introduced to the police. Wofford says, "At that point [they] will establish whether [they] are 18 or under. If [they're] under 18, at that point we will help [them] locate a parent or guardian to pick [them] up." He tells us a safe environment will be provided until someone comes to get them.

Similar studies have been conducted at shopping centers across the country, according to the release. A growing number of them have successfully implemented the policy.

WAVY.com called other malls on the southside, none of which said they implement this type of policy.

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Learn more about the program from MacArthur Center's Website