Post-Christmas Teen Supervision Mandate Returns To Cherry Hill Mall

CHERRY HILL, NJ - A strict teen supervision policy at Cherry Hill Mall returned this year in order to curb nuisance and criminal behavior after the holidays, authorities said Monday.

The annual parental escort policy was reinstated on Dec. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m., Cherry Hill police said in a statement, with proof of age required for admittance. Under the policy, all mall guests 17 and under are to be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult age 21 or older. One parent or supervising adult may accompany up to four youths, police added.

“Parents and guardians should not be dropping off their children unsupervised at retail shopping centers,” the police department said in a statement. “The Cherry Hill Police Department and Cherry Hill Mall Management want everyone to have a safe shopping experience.”

The supervision policy stems from a 2017 incident the day after Christmas in which around 1,000 individuals - mostly teens, per NJ.com - became ensnared in a series of mall brawls that led to the arrest of five minors.

“Juveniles not acting responsibly will be escorted from the property and those engaging in criminal behavior will be arrested and prosecuted," Cherry Hill police said Monday.

It was not immediately clear if any arrests were made on Monday. A request for comment to Cherry Hill police was not immediately returned.