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Here are the loitering laws for my state. (KY) They may not be applicable to all readers of this thread, although "dropping teens off at the mall" skirts dangerously close to breaking the statute;
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2006 Kentucky Revised Statutes - .090 Loitering.
525.090 Loitering. (1) A person is guilty of loitering when he: (a) Loiters or remains in a public place for the purpose of gambling with cards, dice or other gambling paraphernalia, except that the provisions of this section shall not apply if the person is participating in charitable gaming defined by KRS 238.505; or (b) Loiters or remains in a public place for the purpose of unlawfully using a controlled substance; or (c) Loiters or remains in or about a school, college or university building or grounds, not having any reason or relationship involving custody of or responsibility for a pupil or student or any other specific legitimate reason for being there and not having written permission from anyone authorized to grant the same; or (d) Loiters or remains in any transportation facility, unless specifically authorized to do so, for the purpose of soliciting or engaging in any business, trade or commercial transactions involving the sale of merchandise or services. (2) Loitering is a violation. Effective: March 16, 1994 History: Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 66, sec. 18, effective March 16, 1994. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 102, sec. 2, effective July 13, 1984. -- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 267, sec. 8, effective July 15, 1980. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 219, effective January 1, 1975. Page 1 of 1
Here are the loitering laws for my state. (KY) They may not be applicable to all readers of this thread, although "dropping teens off at the mall" skirts dangerously close to breaking the statute;
LOL
According to the ordinance, they're only breaking it if they're shooting craps, doing drugs, or if the mall is on a college campus or bus station.
Y'all, OP did not ask about the appropriateness of hanging out at the mall.
According to the ordinance, they're only breaking it if they're playing craps, doing drugs, or if the mall is on a college campus or bus station.
Even so, the mall is not a teen hangout.
I guess the message comes across when your kid is arrested for shoplifting, stabbed by a gang, kidnapped, raped, gotten into a fight, destroyed a large amount of property, another teen is found with drugs, or any other crimes that happen every so often in our mall (and in this mall is in one of those so-called "good" neighborhoods). In our state, they have a policy of fighting tooth and nail to keep youngsters that are age 16/17 in Juvenile Detention until age 18 so they can be tried as adults. always good to have a record when you're still in high school, I guess.
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Y'all, OP did not ask about the appropriateness of hanging out at the mall.
But such a statement is an oxymoron as loitering in any such space is illegal no matter what age you are. 14 year old children have no place at a mall wandering aimlessly about and farting around, their presence in solitude is only a catalyst to catastrophe.
Now if they were there to use the mall for its actual purpose, which is to purchase goods, there wouldn't be any issues. But often times these teens come to run around, try on clothes that they have no intention of purchasing, throwing merchandise on the floor when they're done with it, hogging our changing booths for hours taking "selfies" and some even try to steal from our store. Then I have every right to say such teenagers have no place here. And you're not going to change that viewpoint of mine.
Last edited by HorseEquestria; 06-19-2014 at 08:11 PM..
Even so, the mall is not a teen hangout.
I guess the message comes across when your kid is arrested for shoplifting, stabbed by a gang, kidnapped, raped, gotten into a fight, destroyed a large amount of property, another teen is found with drugs, or any other crimes that happen every so often in our mall (and in this mall is in one of those so-called "good" neighborhoods). In our state, they have a policy of fighting tooth and nail to keep youngsters that are age 16/17 in Juvenile Detention until age 18 so they can be tried as adults. always good to have a record when you're still in high school, I guess.
But such a statement is an oxymoron as loitering in any such space is illegal no matter what age you are. 14 year old children have no place at a mall wandering aimlessly about and farting around, their presence in solitude is only a catalyst to catastrophe.
Now if they were there to use the mall for its actual purpose, which is to purchase goods, there wouldn't be any issues. But often times these teens come to run around, try on clothes that they have no intention of purchasing, throwing merchandise on the floor when they're done with it, hogging our changing booths for hours taking "selfies" and some even try to steal from our store. Then I have every right to say such teenagers have no place here. And you're not going to change that viewpoint of mine.
Glad I don't live near your mall!
I also don't go for pearl-clutching and stereotyping teens either.
OP obviously thinks it's a possibility for her daughter, so she's considering it.
I think a 14 yr old is old enough to go to the mall with friends, as long as they have a purpose in mind. A couple of hours is plenty long enough. A day? No.
None of y'all spent time at a mall as a teenager? Where and what time period did you grow up in?
I know the culture has changed but when I was a teenager the mall was the hang out spot. It's where you met up with people, played at the arcade, window shopped, watched movies, ate food, and tried to find dates. I used to spend whole days in the summer getting out of the heat at the mall.
It was not some teen ghetto where people were getting shot, stabbed, and raped left and right.
I think it's sad society has come to such a state. Generally speaking it seems like people don't feel comfortable letting their children out of their sight - ever. We used to run around the neighborhood completely unsupervised. Some people made mistakes and bad decisions but that's part of being a kid and learning. We have really lost this sense of community. It seems to have been replaced with fear and isolation... Sad.
Need some input from the always helpful CD community.
At what age were you comfortable dropping your teen off at the mall and letting them hang out for an afternoon/day (no parent around).
I have a bit of a struggle with my teen (14 daughter) over this very issue. We've had a number of trust issues in the past and I've had to be on my toes. A number of her friends do have this privilege and some girls were dropped off by their moms starting at 12 or so to hang out with a friend or two. One mom gave me a strange look that I had some reservations (I was hosting her daughter at our house so didn't feel comfortable doing this without asking her). Granted, we live in a very nice area with low crime so I don't want to be that one super overly protective parent. Then again, I know my DD's behaviors and level of maturity. She does have some really nice girls as friends though and they seem to be a good influence on her.
Honestly I'm a little surprised the mall is much of a touchpoint. I remember back in the 90s when kids wanted to go to the mall, but now between most malls either banning unescorted kids outright or in groups of 2 or more and the change in retailing I'm surprised there is even much interest on their part. Anecdotally I've seen much more interest in hanging out at the movies, going out to eat, parties, or hanging out in the neighborhood (business district) than malls. Actually, you may want to check the mall's policy on unescorted kids before just dropping her/them off if you aren't familiar with it.
That being said at 14 it's time to start letting the line out. You mentioned trust issues, so I would factor that in. But unless there is a reasonable suspicion that something will be amiss - in a mall setting, shoplifting, inappropriate sexual contact, drugs/alcohol, or outright turning around and leaving the premises to go elsewhere - I would be inclined to send her on her way with an explicit explanation that she gets to do this because you can trust her to do so, and if she does not handle it responsibly she won't be doing it anymore.
None of y'all spent time at a mall as a teenager? Where and what time period did you grow up in?
I know the culture has changed but when I was a teenager the mall was the hang out spot. It's where you met up with people, played at the arcade, window shopped, watched movies, ate food, and tried to find dates. I used to spend whole days in the summer getting out of the heat at the mall.
I totally agree! And Siggy just mentioned her daughter hanging out there for a few hours. Not three whole weeks.
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Originally Posted by HorseEquestria
The mall isn't a "teen hangout", and probably has rules against loitering. Numerous incidents have occurred due to parents thinking this way. I work as a manager at a clothing retail location in a large mall in a tricounty area. numerous times my staff and I have had to kick out loitering teens. most of them just walk around, purchase little to nothing, make noise, and generally disturb what is supposed to be a place of commerce, not a teen hangout joint. Drop them off at McDonald's to "hang out" or what have you.
Seriously. A mall is a place for people to shop, eat, and perhaps socialize for a bit of time. It is not a place to let your teens run loose and wreak havoc, not even buying anything. What are teen supposed to do at a mall with no money anyway? The way you convey "dropping off" sounds like you're bringing them to childcare.
The malls around where I'm from were mostly teen hangouts. We would eat pizza, try on clothes, shop, etc. It was just a fun thing to do. I mean, sure adults were there shopping but they also dined in the food court, just like us. But I agree; it was a place to socialize. Malls normally have more than just shopping and food. Skating rinks, movie theaters, etc. It's easy to spend the whole day at the mall. Even now, I lose a lot of time when I'm somewhere trying on clothes.
Who said teens don't have money? By that logic my friends and I had every right to hang out there; we spent money and were paying customers. Even if we didn't, who says you have to have money to be able to go into stores? I have bee places without buying anything. Does that mean I have no right to be there?
Oh, you work retail. That explains the bitterness.
It's your job to please and deal with customers. Suck it up or quit. I'm sure adults don't hang things back up either.
The malls around where I'm from were mostly teen hangouts. We would eat pizza, try on clothes, shop, etc. It was just a fun thing to do. I mean, sure adults were there shopping but they also dined in the food court, just like us. But I agree; it was a place to socialize. Malls normally have more than just shopping and food. Skating rinks, movie theaters, etc. It's easy to spend the whole day at the mall. Even now, I lose a lot of time when I'm somewhere trying on clothes.
Who said teens don't have money? By that logic my friends and I had every right to hang out there; we spent money and were paying customers. Even if we didn't, who says you have to have money to be able to go into stores? I have bee places without buying anything. Does that mean I have no right to be there?
Oh, you work retail. That explains the bitterness.
It's your job to please and deal with customers. Suck it up or quit. I'm sure adults don't hang things back up either.
There is a difference between kids being normal, casual shoppers and socializing and what they are talking about. I've seen plenty of kids dumped off at the mall (or library or any number of public places) that clearly are not able or choose not to act appropriately and really need adult supervision.
There are many, many parents that use malls (etc) as de facto babysitters. There is a difference. And I'm sure working in retail you get your fill of kids that are there and infringing on others' rights to not be annoyed by obnoxious kids (or adults, for that matter).
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