Canines added to Boynton Mall security

The Boynton Beach Mall, 801 N Congress Ave., has implemented the addition of a canine security detail as part of its security program.

The new security enhancement is an addition to the current layers of mall security.

Lydia Gilmore, vice president for the Florida portfolio of Simon Property Group, said she thinks the extra security of canines would be an extension of the group’s current efforts as well as a partnership with local police.

The trained German Shepherd and handler make their way throughout the mall at various times to deter any potential criminal activity and disorderly conduct.

The trained dogs have been known to enforce order by chasing, holding or detaining suspects by virtue of the threat of it being released.

Canine patrols act as a visual deterrent, said John Lusher, vice president of IPC International, shopping center security.   Other Simon Property Group retail centers in Florida, including Palm Beach Mall, Dadeland Mall and Shops at Sunset Place are utilizing the added security measure.

John Petruzzi, vice president of corporate security and emergency management for Simon Property Group, said the goal is to give security exactly what it needs to ensure mall guests their safety.  
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)

To help keep spam off our site, please enter the letter "y" in the field below:

About This Blog

Mike Rothman
Mike Rothman graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Management. He grew up in South Florida and has been back working here since July 2006. Mike wrote for numerous publications previously including the Gainesville Sun, GatorBait Magazine and Inspin.com, where he was the NBA Expert.

When Mike is not hitting the streets of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach looking for stories, he can be found playing sports or spending time with friends.

He also enjoys provoking his fellow Hometown Downtown columnist, Dave DiPino, for the sake of good stories, of course. He can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com or at 954-871-1233.