W99.9% of the time, a crowd of people is a GOOD thing for a business. Think Black Friday, or Spring Sales Events, after Christmas, the day after schools let out. All these unique days drive people into local stores and business where they spend their money and make businesses profitable.
Businesses can’t get enough of these crowds.
Lately for some local businesses outside Baltimore, crowds – mostly groups of juveniles - have been a bad, and even dangerous thing. To the point that curfews, standards of conduct, and supplemental security have been enacted.
White Marsh Mall
Having grown up in Harford County, going to White Marsh Mall was a treat that happened every now and then. I remember that clown stationed near the food court with a gargantuan handful of balloons. The pet shop was neat too – but my favorite was the arcade. I’ve got nothing but good memories of when my mom took me to that mall.
But now White Marsh Mall is very different. They’ve had to enact a curfew policy after 5pm for youths at the mall – they must be accompanied by an adult. “Little” incidents happen all the time. But there was a big headliner story last year where a crowd of kids started hassling the security guards and fighting in the parking lot. A total of nine were arrested while others escaped to the Avenue and elsewhere.
Immature, unsupervised youth have been a major problem at that mall. Mix in drugs, alcohol and weapons, and you’ve got a really ticking time-bomb on your hands. Mall security protocol has ramped up to counter it.
A friend of mine had a clothing store on the ground floor of White Marsh Mall about three years ago. He was an entrepreneur and it was his very first brick-and-mortar location. He sold attire and accessories designed to appeal to urban young people. His profits were suffocated by shoplifting. He couldn’t afford to hire a full-time security guard, and because of that, lost too much inventory to make it worth it. He closed his doors after about a year and a half.
East Point Mall
You’ve probably seen stories in the news lately about the fights happening at East Point Mall. A group of youth were partying at the mall during March Madness basketball games. Partying turned into fighting, and fighting turned into destruction of business property.
Store fronts were damaged as the crowd made their way outside to the parking lot, where they smashed car windshields and windows. Police moved in and in the end, arrested 9 of the rowdiest juveniles.
Imagine how those business owners felt that next morning, when their front door had been smashed leaving them vulnerable to looters overnight?
What it Means for Business Owners
I feel sorry for businesses that have to endure senseless financial losses and damage to their property as a result of mob-like of behavior. Business owners take on so much risk, stress and personal responsibility just operating their business. To have it attacked like that, with little protections in place is a shame.
Minimize victimhood. While acts of aggression can happen any place or time, business owners should know that they can train and arm themselves and responsible staff legally to help prevent injury and loss of life in these types of scenarios. The best resort for an angry, dangerous mob is to just get yourself and staff out of the way. We can educate you to help you determine what scenarios call for you to take flight, and in which ones you may take defensive action.
CCW Permit (Maryland Wear & Carry)
Those businesses owners that are interested in obtaining the Maryland Wear & Carry Permit (CCW Permit) can take our course to meet the requirements to apply for their permit. Yes, applicants must meet a certain level of qualifications and criteria. Yes, these permits come with restrictions and conditions. But the overwhelming advantage to having it is that it puts your business and employees in a smart, defensive position for acts of crowd violence and chaos.
We offer regular CCW courses to serve residents in Maryland (generally Harford, Cecil and Baltimore Counties). You can check out our upcoming courses and be sure to sign up and bring your spouse, friend or adult child. Contact us today to learn more!
