Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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s Common From staff reports Santa Claus won't be the only one checking a list twice this holiday season to see who has been naughty or nice. Retailers and shoppers will be checking lists for shopping safety in hopes of escaping any holiday mall mischief. But just how concerned are Americans about mall safety and how concerned should they be, especially during the peak shopping season? "Most Americans feel that malls and shopping centers are generally safe, secure places to shop," says Dr. James S. Overstreet, director of the USC Center for Retailing. "Although shoppers are more concerned about mall . i v crime than ever oeiore, tney say fear is fueled by heightened media attention about overall violence, and not from personal accounts of crime," he says. Overstreet also is making lists about mall safety. Specifically, he is gauging shoppers' concerns about mall security and safety and how their concerns alter the shopping habits. Funded by International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the project measures the shopping behavior of more than 900 shoppers from approximately 12 malls located in urban and mid-sized cities throughout the MidAtlantic and Southern regions. The research, which will be released in February 1995, uses a criminality index that factors in the criminal activity of the surrounding mall areas. According to ICSC, enclosed malls increased security expenditures by 42 percent from 1987 to 1990. And, with mall crime the No. 1 topic in the shopping industry, retailers are looking for answering in how to deal with customers' increasing concerns about safety. For years security meant information assistance only. But in the past five years, mall have increased security spending dramatically, improving everything from Th( sense ke] lighting, both inside and outside; increasing security personnel and surveillance equipment; and offering such service as valet parking and escorts to accompany shoppers to and from their vehicles. But all these measures have been implemented without the benefit of data that reflect how people really feel about mall safety, says Overstreet. "Retail are walking a very thin line between addressing and rising security concern," says Overstreet. "Too much emphasis can send the negative message that a mall is not safe or has a history of criminal activity. Our research finding about mall safety that catalog and home shopping network alternatives offer," says Overstreet. ffS&^MtifcWK jJfckiA^^PUl^ I 1000's of I CD's. Tapes! ALL KIND! POP, ROCK, URBAN, R&B, We Buy Used CD's, a-/ Tapes, LP's, * Everyday | Open 11-7 MfSal PAPA U 1:30-6:30 Sunday 2014 Greene Columbia, SC ? Gamecock Holiday Shoppe f to safe j Overstreet's research cor- ha roborate previous research th that shows that shoppers' pri- co mary safety concern is the no vastness of mall parking, and that, once inside a mall, they feel reasonably safe. "People pe are less willing to park far fe; away, and instead want, and re perhaps expect, parking n< available next to the mall in th a well lighted environment," sa says Overstreet. pi This finding is not surpris- be ing to Dr. Danny Baker, a th USC criminal justice profes- p< sor, who says the majority of th mall crimes take place in cn parking lots, as shoppers go ti to and from the mall. a< Baker says that, according tr to the Bureau of U.S. Justice si & Statistics, street and highway crimes, which include B crimes in mall parking lots, ai ised & New , & Records 5 OF MUSIC CLASSICAL, BLUES & JAZZ ^?!rf'' <? ? V IZZ RECORD SHOPPE Street Telephone: 29205 (803) 256-0095 r shopping ve increased steadily over e past 20 years and should ncern mall shoppers, but t scare them. "There is no reason for iople to walk around in ar, but, they should have a alistic concern and awareahrmt. mall safetv and e potential for crime, " he iys. "The best time for peoe to asses their shopping ihavior is before they begin leir holiday shopping. The )tential for mall crime is te greatest during the holilys because of the combinaon of increased shopping :tivity and plenty of disacted and hurried holiday loppers.'' aker recommends people dopt this simple pattern of *tr at 10% off with this ad J9 Do You W Withoi $15 us< NO More free weights tl WEIGHT TRAII CARDIOVASCl USC physic will be y< Bobby use we Matt use kai LOR 1311 Rose 5 i ) season shopping behavior: Always park your vehicle close to the mall in a well-lighted area. Always keep your hands free, except for holding your car keys. Always place packages in the trunk of a car, never a seat. Don't use money machines in mall lots and avoid carrying large sums of cash. Don't put handbags or personal belongings where they can be stolen when trying on clothes in dressing areas. Be discreet when writing personal checks and showing driver's license to a sales clerk. Wolt accortivel v flnd I IT U1XV UUUVl UA ? v? never look lost. S .IV (A RESALE SHOP ) [\ N 1 I \s i ' . y ' / i Downtown Columbia: L \ 2 doors down from Main . \ and Taylor Shoe Salon n**i* ' J liHlf^7 252-1790 !& ! 1604 Ma'n street ant a Workout it the Wait? !/mo. for all 2 students CONTRACTS! tan any gym in South Carolina. NING BODY BUILDING JLAR FITNESS KARATE ;al education graduates 3ur personal trainers: ight-lifting instructor for 8 years, ate instructor for 3 years. D'S GYM wood Drive 252-0826 min. from campus , Offer ends 12-31-94