PRO:
As of Jan. 9, the Franklin Park Mall Youth Supervision Policy is in effect. All visitors age 17 and under must be accompanied at all times by a parent or adult age 21 or older on Fridays and Saturdays after 4 p.m.
Personally, I think this youth supervision policy is a good idea. I know from going to the Franklin Park Mall that there are a lot of kids that just stand around in the food court where a lot of fights break out. Also, the majority of the shoplifting that happens is done by teenagers. I think this will cause more people to go to the mall to actually shop.
Proof of age will be required for the minor and adult. People who can’t produce proper identification will be asked to leave the property. Identification includes a state issued driver’s license or ID card, a passport, or a military ID. The identification must include a picture, date of birth and be damage proof. One adult may accompany up to 6 minors and the adult has to stay with the children.
As a teenager, I do like going to the mall with my friends to shop and hangout, but I think this policy will be a good thing for the mall and all of its shoppers.
I think these rules are fair and still allow teenagers to go to the mall during the week and with adult supervision on the weekend nights. After all, a mall is made for shopping.
CON:
As of Jan. 9, 2015, the Franklin Park Mall underwent a couple changes considering the youth. Anyone 17 and under has to leave the mall at 4 p.m. unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 or older.
These rules are not fair whatsoever, because who goes to the mall on Friday and Saturday before 4 p.m.? Teens go to the mall to shop and hang out with their friends, not to be with their parents. What 17 year old would want to bring their parents to the mall? No one, that’s the answer.
This rule will cause sales to down because half of the population that goes to the mall are teenagers from the ages 14-17, and the mall basically banning them will cause their sales to go down, because no one’s going to the mall with their parents under supervision. That’s one of the places teens go to get away from everything and shop till they drop.
Another thing is after school, those teenagers want to go and relax for at least a couple hours before they start their weekend. But with the new rules set into place, those teens would have to go to the mall right after school got out, unless they were accompanied by an adult and stay until 4 p.m.
By the age of 16, teens are able to drive, and everyone knows that the Mall of Monroe isn’t that great. So the only choice really is Taylor or Toledo, and the time rules really cause problems for teens without the best malls around.