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TORRANCE (CNS) - Del Amo Fashion Center mall in Torrance will implement a youth supervision policy Friday, requiring anyone under age 18 to leave the property after 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays unless they are accompanied by an adult.
The move comes in response to two disturbances in the past year caused by large groups of teens who swarmed the mall. In one instance, the entire mall had to be shut down when hundreds of youths descended on the center, leading to some brawls. Police from agencies across the region responded to the mall to help quell the disturbance.
The disturbances came amid rising concerns about flash-mob robberies that have had many retailers on edge and led to stepped-up security at shopping centers.
Under the policy being implemented at Del Amo Friday, anyone under age 18 will be required to leave the property after 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays unless they are accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old. Mall staff may ask youth to show proof of age, and those who "lack acceptable identification" will be asked to leave.
The policy allows one adult to accompany up to four underage guests, and the teens must remain in the company of the adult at all times.
"Adults are responsible for the actions of all of the youth they accompany," the policy states.
Underage teens who work at the mall will be permitted to work past 3 p.m., but they will be required to leave the mall or be accompanied by an adult once their shift ends.
"We are committed to providing a pleasant and family friendly shopping environment for all of our guests," according to mall officials.