A spokesman for the Beavercreek police department, with jurisdiction over The Greene, on Monday described the department’s approach to mall security as “hyper-vigilance.”
The owners of several other large-scale retail centers in southwest and west-central Ohio declined to say whether they’ve taken any special precautions following Saturday’s release of a video purported to be by the Somalia-based terrorist group al-Shabab that encouraged violence against shopping malls in Canada, Britain and other Western countries in addition to the U.S. The extremists also warned Kenya of more attacks like the September 2013 assault on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in which 67 people were killed.
U.S. authorities said there was “no credible” evidence suggesting a U.S. mall attack was in the works.
A spokeswoman for WP Glimcher, which owns both the Dayton Mall in Miami Twp. and the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek, and a spokeswoman for the Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe both referred inquiries about security at their malls to a statement released by the The International Council of Shopping Centers.
“Since 9-11, the shopping center industry has worked diligently with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials on training and preparedness,” the council’s statement said.
While some security measures deployed at shopping centers such as the use of vertical posts meant to protect buildings from vehicles, uniformed patrols by law enforcement officers, and surveillance camera systems “will be evident to consumers, many more protective measures will not,” the council said. “Individual centers continually update and refine their security plans in concert with their law enforcement partners as part of their ongoing effort to be vigilant.”
Beavercreek Police Capt. Eric Grile, whose city includes both The Greene and the Mall at Fairfield Commons, described his department’s approach as “hyper-vigilance.”
Ever since a high-profile attack in Nairobi, Beavercreek police has “compared notes” with the malls’ security teams. But there are no immediate plans to change anything in light of the most recent threats, Grile said.
Grile said police rely on tips from patrons to keep people safe. “If you see something, say something,” he said.
Miami Twp. Police Chief Ronald L. Hess, whose jurisdiction includes the Dayton Mall and Austin Landing developments, echoed his fellow officer’s advice: “While we want to continue to enjoy the freedoms of living in a Democratic society, we encourage the public to notify our department of any suspicious circumstances.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, said the terrorist video was itself “a terrorist attack. This is an attempt to cause fear. And this group – whether or not the threat is real – the group is certainly real. Al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaeda, has undertaken these types of attacks before in Kenya. So it’s really something that should be taken into consideration by the (Obama) administration as a credible threat.”
“The issue is: We need a global response to terrorism. If you attempt to make the United States at risk, then you are at risk.”
Anthony McCarthy of Springfield, who works at Books & Co. bookstore at The Greene, said he’s “not that worried” about the most recent threats. “I’d like to think we have counter-measures against terrorist attacks like that, but things have slipped through in the past. But I’m still not too concerned about it.”
Speaking earlier on morning talk shows in the U.S., Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson called the extremists’ video “the new phase” of the global terrorist threat and warned the public to be vigilant.
“These groups are relying more and more on independent actors to become inspired, drawn to the cause and they’ll attack on their own,” Johnson said, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Staff writers Kate Bartley and Thomas Gnau contributed to this report.
This report contains material from the Associated Press.
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