Atlantic Center Security
I not too long ago returned home from a shopping trip at Atlantic Center. My Target browsing was cut short by a HUGE group of angry, shouting, cursing, teen boys. I sensed a melee brewing, so I got the hell out of the store. To my dismay, the teens followed right behind me. The group…
I not too long ago returned home from a shopping trip at Atlantic Center. My Target browsing was cut short by a HUGE group of angry, shouting, cursing, teen boys. I sensed a melee brewing, so I got the hell out of the store. To my dismay, the teens followed right behind me. The group began to disperse on the escalators, but quickly reconvened on the main level. More shouting and cursing, including threats of violence continued. Myself and another woman split up to find some type of security or random police officer who may have happened to be in there. Approximately 5 minutes later, we bumped into each other again, neither of us having found anyone of authority to diffuse the situation. I figured I did my best and decided to just go home. As I stepped out onto the Flatbush Avenue exit, the groups of teens began running towards each other hurling insults and threats of imminent bodily harm. I damn near had to toss myself into oncoming traffic to avoid the ensuing melee.
Does Atlantic Center have no security officers? Do the police not patrol this place? Who the hell knew that Target could be such an anger inducing place in the early evening? (All of this happened around 4:45-5:00pm)
rob being accused of elitism is hilarious. he’s no elitist. he was sounding like a realist though.
to say that teens everywhere are engaging in group threatening behavior is not true, and actually makes rob’s point stronger because it is true.
I beg to differ CMU. I’ve seen it in every variety of teen. And many times. I don’t believe in doing the PC thing, so I won’t accept that label.
“Rowdy, violent teens come from EVERY class, race, neighborhood”
I’m sorry, that’s disingenuous. Rowdiness & violence IS a class issue and I don’t care if it’s not PC to say so. It becomes a race issue only because of socio-economic factors.
I tend to only go to Target at 8am on Sundays…nobody there except about six other early bird shoppers and the employees. I typically avoid the place any other time cause it’s a sh!tshow. Yesterday, however, I decided to break my rule cause there was something I really wanted to get. I have learned my lesson.
Brownstonerlogin…see this:
http://tinyurl.com/y8yllgb
If you call 911 and say that there’s a crowd gathering and they seem angry, the cops will be there before you get off the phone.
In my singular experience anyway. I’ve waited for cops for an eternity and a half after a mugging or breakin (mine, friends, whatever.) But when I stumbled into something brewing (long story, but the air was electrified, it just felt like something was about to erupt, so I called 911) there were three cop cars there before the ambulance arrived. I was still on the phone with the operator when the first car arrived.
Hey, what is this past violent incident at AC that several people have alluded to? I somehow missed that story. I go to Target once a month or so (was there yesterday in fact), but always on weekday mornings when it’s very very quiet. Have never felt the least bit nervous or uneasy, so all this talk is a little unnnerving. Could some illuminate?
Do you think it’s just a coincidence that such an ugly building exterior attracts such ugly behavior?
Snappy,
Sorry to hear of your experience.
It seems like it was what used to called an after-school rumble. I’ve heard that those malls have a high crime rate, so I’m not surprised by your report.
There’s not much you can do when you’re in a situation like that. It’s incumbent upon the malls to prevent such things. Their failure to do so will result in many of use shopping elsewhere, sadly.
As a frequent shopper at Target, I know there is security stationed right by the elevators that bring you to street level, and right near the cross-walk that brings you to Pathmark. I think you were more towards the regular entrance to Target, which leads you out to the main mall and I’ve always seen security there as well. This is more an Atlantic Mall problem them, and certainly, whoever the landlord is (Ratner? Dunno) should be taking precautions and hiring security to patrol each floor.
Your best bet is to avoid the Center during teenage peak hours, any time between 3 and 6. Sorry about your experience.