DEPTFORD, NJ — A South Jersey mall’s ban on unaccompanied minors has received newfound attention. But the policy has been around for a while, according to Deptford Mall’s management.
Visitors younger than 18 must be with a parent or supervising adult age 25 or older after 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, according to the mall’s policy. Unsupervised minors shopping beforehand need to leave the mall by that time or have a parent or supervising adult join them.
A parent may escort all of their children, while non-parents can accompany up to four youths.
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Deptford Mall’s policy recently received attention after the Deptford Township Police Department shared it last weekend on Facebook. The post has since been deleted.
However, this isn’t a recent policy change, according to the mall’s general manager.
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“This is not a new policy at Deptford Mall,” Frank Lucia told Patch via email. “Our commitment is to provide the most enjoyable shopping experience for our guests.”
It’s unclear when Deptford Mall instituted the policy. But internet archives show the mall has prohibited unaccompanied minors on weekend evenings since at least January 2021. During that time, however, supervising adults needed to be at least 21, rather than 25.
The parental-escort mandate applies to the shopping center’s common area. Deptford Mall advises visitors to check with its restaurants, businesses with exterior entrances, and establishments outside of the main building for their own policies.
“We welcome shoppers of all ages to visit and enjoy the atmosphere and retail shops of Deptford Mall,” Lucia said.
It’s been a growing trend for shopping malls around the nation to ban unaccompanied minors — at least during certain days and times. Despite significant drops in violent-crime arrests and delinquency cases among youth over the last 30 years, many shopping centers have pointed to disruptive incidents and complaints of unruly teens.
Cherry Hill Mall prohibits unaccompanied minors on the day after Christmas. The policy stems from a Dec. 26, 2017, incident in which hundreds of minors became unruly inside the crowded mall. Five of them were charged with offenses including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Since last April, Fashion District Philadelphia has banned unaccompanied minors after 2 p.m. each day.
View Deptford Mall’s policy here.
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