Violence at Boca Town Center  − 3 March, 2008

So there was an interesting discussion on the morning show of my local radio station… they were talking about the woman suing Simon Malls for inadequate (read: no) security at the Boca Town Center Mall, in Boca Raton, Florida.
The Boca Town Center Mall has valet parking and all upscale shops, like Tiffany and Nordstrom. So far 2 adult women and 1 little girl have been robbed and murdered there. The woman who is suing was carjacked along with her infant.
You would think that they would provide security for their shoppers, considering the amount of money shoppers routinely spend there, and that said shoppers are definitely an attractive target for criminals. I am sure the stores pay pretty high rent (especially as they provide valet parking!!), so I can’t understand why they would be so lax with security.
The debate on my radio station was about “looking like” a target. One DJ thinks that, as these “times” are so dangerous, it’s foolish to wear your high-end clothes and bling – you are attractive to a mugger or carjacker. The other DJ disagrees, saying she should have the right to wear whatever she wants and not be a victim. Of course, the latter DJ is right, but, unfortunately, so is the former.
The victims have all been women. There have been some violent similarities. They have all been robberies or possible carjackings. A description of a suspect in all cases has been similar. It’s possible this person is a serial offender.
I am sure there are incidents at other malls, but it seems that the Boca Town Center attracts particularly violent criminals. Perhaps it’s because there is more money at stake than at other malls – the Boca Town Center is famous for it’s Fifth Avenue stores – and the targets are easy to identify. People at other malls are not decked out in their designer clothes, expensive jewelry and pricey SUVs. Perhaps they are also more careful – maybe the shoppers at Boca Town Center feel that they are more protected living in an expensive zip code? Well, it apparently isn’t so.
I shop at the Boca Town Center Mall on occasion – I love their Sephora shop – but I drive a beat-up minivan and I usually have a big dog with me – my Service Dog (I need his assistance to walk and stand for extended periods like shopping), so I would be a much more unattractive target. My baby sister also works at the mall – so I make sure she knows to walk out with someone, carry her keys in a protective manner and be aware of her surroundings at all times. She has a good head on her shoulders, so I trust she can take decent care of herself. I still worry, though.
It has taught a lot of the area residents that they are not as safe as they think their mansions buy them. Violent crime can hit anyone anywhere and perhaps those in Boca are the most vulnerable of all – not used to protecting themselves and used to living a charmed life. I hope that this offender is caught soon, and that Simon Malls does institute a better security regime in it’s upscale shopping centers… otherwise they are going to lose their patronage – through fear or murder…