Independence police called on parents Saturday evening to pick up their kids from Independence Center after multiple large disturbances and fights broke out causing the mall to close early, police said.
In a post on the department’s Facebook page, Independence police said, “If you left a child (under 18) at the Independence Center, come get them now. This is at the request of mall management.”
According to Independence police public information officer John Syme, multiple disturbances and fights involving several hundred teens occurred around 5:30 p.m. The incidents forced mall security to close the mall early, around 6:30 p.m.
Ten individuals were arrested and cited for disorderly conduct, endangering the welfare of a minor, interfering with police, assault on a law enforcement officer, and false information, Syme said in an email.
Six of those were adults and four were juveniles. Four of the adults were parents or grandparents of some of the juveniles who were charged.
Multiple agencies were involved, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit and Kansas City Police Departments, Syme said.
Independence police have previously said they have experienced issues with minors causing disturbances at restaurants, businesses and entertainment venues at Independence Center.
Police, along with mall management and local groups, instituted a 9 p.m. curfew for minors, which began Nov. 26.
The curfew is every night and ends at 6 a.m. in the area between 40 Highway on the south, 39th Street on the north, Little Blue Parkway to the east and M291 Highway to the west.
The city said that the curfew is strictly enforced, and that parents of unaccompanied juveniles will be issued citations.
Independence city officials said when announcing the curfew that an uptick in incidents this year prompted the curfew.
“We have had incidents at various businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping areas and parking lots throughout the region,” Independence Police Chief Brad Halsey said in a news release in November. “In all of these incidents, minors have been causing disturbances, affecting the flow of traffic, and negatively impacting the experience of others visiting these venues. This has diverted police attention from other areas of the community requiring additional presence to protect the patrons and businesses in this area.” [Reply]
A friend owned the Merry-Go-Round that was on the concourse. The new owners gave them the boot after 20 years and closed the Children's playland. It was a terrible move. They brought in more video games to attract teens, which also brought problems since the City has been closed down.
Wait, do yo mean Merry Go Round like the thing with the horses that goes around in circles? Or do you mean the clothing store that was there in the 80s? [Reply]
Originally Posted by loochy:
Wait, do yo mean Merry Go Round like the thing with the horses that goes around in circles? Or do you mean the clothing store that was there in the 80s?
An old-fashioned ride with horses and other animals. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Halfcan:
The Police are always parked in the lot. They have been on the scene and made arrests. Not sure how it is their fault.
Mall Management- yes, they need to step it up.
I never said it was "their" fault. What I said was there needs to be more cooperation between mall management and the police there. I really don't know how they are supposed to necessarily top these things from happening, but if they don't figure some out - customers WILL eventually head to other stores. [Reply]
Originally Posted by loochy:
Wait, do yo mean Merry Go Round like the thing with the horses that goes around in circles? Or do you mean the clothing store that was there in the 80s?
The real deal with horses going up and down in circles on a turntable. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Halfcan:
Exactly, the Center has already been struggling. Sears and Applebees were two of the biggest ones that closed recently.
A friend owned the Merry-Go-Round that was on the concourse. The new owners gave them the boot after 20 years and closed the Children's playland. It was a terrible move. They brought in more video games to attract teens, which also brought problems since the City has been closed down.
That area has a large Police presence- it is a dumb idea to start trouble there unless you want to get caught.
The engineering firm I worked for laid out did design and construction staking of Independence Center. The original owners of that mall saw the end nearing. They watched Banister Mall self destruct along with the popularity of strip malls with drive up parking access to the building fronts. When That strip mall just to their east started construction they sold. The new owners out of the area with no history in this area did a remodel of the interior. They lost some tenants and gained some and promised the food court and Merry Go Round would remain. They raised the lease and lost many retailers and the bad stuff came. Cell phone centers and shitty cheap cosmetic jewelry stores. It attracted trouble just like old Bannister mall its dead they just don't know it yet. [Reply]
