Malls' night restrictions on teens paying off
By Judy Keen
USA TODAY
March 15, 2007

CHICAGO — A growing number of shopping malls are turning away teenagers during evening hours unless they're accompanied by adults.

Restrictions at some malls apply every night, others on Fridays and Saturdays. Hours and ages vary. The rules are meant to reduce fighting and ensure that adults and families don't avoid malls where rowdy teenagers take over stores, corridors and food courts.

The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., was the first U.S. mall to create an "escort policy" in 1996, says the International Council of Shopping Centers. The idea has caught on: 39 malls now have limits on teenagers. Fifteen implemented such policies in the past two years and dozens more are considering them. the rest