Upstate N.Y. mall to restrict teens

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Teenagers in Greece, N.Y., will soon be unable to visit The Mall at Greece Ridge without a parent or guardian, because of two recent fights at the mall.

Greece Town Supervisor John Auberger said the decision to forbid unaccompanied teenagers from visiting the mall came after eight people were arrested for taking part in a Feb. 17 brawl inside the shopping center, the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle reported Friday.

"These types of actions by individuals will not be tolerated in the Greece community," Auberger said.

A Jan. 11 fight in the mall prompted similar restrictions at the mall's movie theater, which banned those under age 17 from visiting the theater on weekend nights.

The chief operating officer of Wilmorite Inc., the company that owns the mall, told the newspaper such measures were focused on making the mall a safe and entertaining site for all ages.

"We want people to enjoy their shopping experience and feel these step will assure our shoppers that the Mall at Greece Ridge remains a family friendly place to shop," Chief Executive Officer James Wilmot said in a statement.