South Hills Village Workers Petition Blasts Mall Security

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA —South Hills Village employees have started an online petition sharply criticizing mall security after an incident there last week involving a man's arrest for allegedly threatening a mass shooting.

The petition alleges that employees and shoppers were not notified about the potential threat and learned of it only after seeing police in bulletproof vests and rifles in the mall. The petition also alludes to a lack of security cameras inside the mall and Ross Park Mall after shots were fired there in May.

Both Pittsburgh malls are owned by Simon Properties.

"Simon has refused to take action to correct their safety protocols and it is putting the workers of these malls in danger," the petition states. "Please help spread the word and hold Simon Properties accountable for these situations."

Multiple law enforcement agencies converged on the mall last week after reports that a man carrying a duffel bag told an employee there was a going to be a mass shooting. They apprehended the suspect near the Village Square Fine Wine & Good Spirits store.

The suspect, Lance Crowley, 51, of Upper St. Clair was unarmed but did acknowledge making the statement, according to Bethel Park Police. He was arrested and charged with terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

In May, two teenagers were involved in a fight at Ross Park Mall that involved gunshots being fired and left shoppers scrambling for cover. The teens were charged numerous gun-related crimes.

After years of ignoring numerous law enforcement requests to install security cameras at both malls, Simon Properties officials in June pledged to do so but that has yet to occur. Following last week's incident, Simon issued a statement defending its existing security protocols and saying closed circuit TV cameras would be in place at both malls before the end of the year.

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