Some Security Concerns Persist at Ocean County Mall After Dec. 13 Drugs, Gun Incident

Tis the season.

That's Toms River resident John Alexander's takeon the involving drugs and guns in on Dec. 13.

“It isn’t going to stop me from coming to the mall,” he said.

That might be true for many people this time of the year. But some shoppers are concerned. Even though Alexander said he is not too worried, he does expect   to add additional security patrols to beef up levels he feels are currently “non-existent.” 

A mall employee who declined to give her last name, said that security is always increased around the busy holiday season.

"If any shopper has a concern all they need to do is approach the Guest Services kiosk in the mall or at any of the stores," she said.

Concerned shoppers need only "just ask" if they want mall security to walk them to their cars at night, she said.

Toms River Patch had more questions about mall operations, which were deferred to the public relations firm representing the mall. Calls placed to the firm since Friday were not immediately returned.

At , Alexis, a cashier working the day the robbery happened, isn't worried.

"Our security guys are really good here," she said.

A  spokesperson for the Toms River confirmed that officers patrols have been added to the mall parking lots since the Dec. 13 incident.

That afternoon, two men fled from the back seat of a car in the JC Penney parking lot, swiping prescription drugs and cell phones. They ran to a second car and were chased by the men from the first car. Another man sitting in the second pulled a black semi-automatic gun on his persuers. With the coordination of South Toms River police, four men were arrested after the incident.

Terry Foote, a longtime resident of Toms River, was pleased to hear of an increased police and security presence.

But said she is "more nervous about going to the mall after what happened last week and won’t go in the evening unless [she] is with someone else.”

The Dec. 13 incident didn't target shoppers. But Toms River police caution that it's always wise — no matter what time of year — to be aware of your surroundings.

"All patrons of the mall should be alert of their surroundings and their possessions at all times,” said the spokeswoman.