Clinton Hill Councilwoman James Questions Teen Mall Ban

On September 17^th, I wrote, "Security Tops Shopping $$ at Mall near Clinton Hill," in response to Ratner's enforcement of a ban on teens at the Atlantic Terminal Mall. Teens of four or more are banned from lingering in the mall without an adult.

However, on the Brooklyn Technical High School Forum, there is concern over teens being denied access to the Mall.

My article asks:

"Is the Mall's practice fair? Should the good kids who don't commit crime or cause trouble be banned because of the kids who do? Is it discrimination to target one particular group such as teens? Do Brooklyn's teens have a bloody right to shop?"

Now, Ratner has implied that it might enforce a teen ban at the Barclays Center.

Clinton Hill Councilwoman Letitia James questions this ban. She recently asked the Human Rights Commission to investigate whether the ban violates civil rights laws, reports the NY Post.

A recent Styleite article which mentions Atlantic Terminal Mall, states teen mall bans are profitable. Has Ratner banned teens for security or for money?

Here are a few more questions about the ban:

Why doesn't Ratner provide enough mall security to protect customers without banning teens?

What's to stop criminal teens from entering the mall with criminals over 21?

Will the ban attract a more dangerous element to the mall?

Where will criminal banned teens go? Will they hang in nearby streets and accost residents?

This ban raises many concerns including who will be the next group to be banned? Under the principle of equal justice for all, if Ratner can ban one group, he can ban them all.

I'm all for security in malls but not at the expense of individual rights.

Thank you, Councilwoman James.

Sources:

BTHS Forum, "Atlantic Terminal Mall Ban," Brooklyn Technical High School
Rich Calder, "Teen-ban war at Nets plaza," NY Post
Justin Fenner, "For Malls, Kicking Teens Out Brings Money In," Styleite