The policy marks a shift in the mall’s operating procedures on Fridays and Saturdays. It requires teenagers to be with a parent or guardian to gain access to the shopping center. The new system is designed to enhance security and ensure a safer environment for all guests.

Mary Scarbrough, a longtime resident of Orange Park and mother of four boys, expressed her support for the policy in an interview with First Coast News. She believes the change is a positive step forward and even suggests it should be implemented throughout the week. “I think it’s a good start, but they should enforce it seven days a week,” Scarbrough stated. “Supervision is necessary whenever the mall is open.”

To enforce the policy, staff at each entrance will check IDs of teenagers and their accompanying adults. Once verified, they will receive wristbands indicating they are permitted to shop inside. This initiative is backed by off-duty deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, who will collaborate with mall security to ensure smooth operations and adherence to the new rules.

On Fridays and Saturdays, at each entrance, teenagers and their parent or guardian will be asked to show their ID. If they’re with a parent or guardian, they’ll be given a wristband which alerts security inside that they’ve been verified and free to shop. Off-duty Clay County deputies will be teaming up with mall security during this process.

First Coast News reached out to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for an interview with Sheriff Michelle Cook, but she was unavailable for comment. We did speak with CCSO spokesperson, Ben Ryan, on Wednesday when the policy was announced. Here’s what they had to say.

“As a sheriff’s office, we’re supportive of any sort of policy that supports order and safety and anything of that nature,” Ryan said.

First Coast News asked what the consequences are if this policy is violated.

“The mall security is here to handle any sort of issue. Obviously if someone violates that policy. They’re going to get involved, they’ll be consequences up to the mall officials on what happens there,” Ryan said. “If it meets the level of criminal, we’ll handle it and if anyone breaks the law— we’ll arrest them.”

Consequences are something long-time residents like Mary say are important to teach young people… whether in her household or at the mall.

“I told them; we taught them right from wrong and if they got in trouble they had to pay the consequences,” Scarbrough said.