Legislation introduced recently in Lansing would give security guards at Dearborn's Fairlane Mall the authority to make arrests.
Fairlane Mall welcomes 10 to 11 million customers a year on average, according general manager Rita Nelson. In an effort to enhance safety of customers, tenants and employees, state Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) wants to return arrest powers to mall security guards.
"The number one priority of this bill really is the safety of the tenants and of the residents and individuals that go to the mall on a daily basis," Hammoud said.
House Bill 4347 was recently re-introduced in Lansing.
It would provide support to local police by granting the additional powers to security guards, something they had at Fairlane Mall as recently as 2013.
"It just permits the security guards, really at Fairlane Mall, to undergo the same licensing, the same training by MCOLES, the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, to have arrest authority at Fairlane Mall and to work more closely with the Dearborn Police Department," said Hammoud.
The bill is a reintroduction of legislation from last term, with two additional provisions, according to Hammoud. One would allow a municipality to opt out of giving security guards arrest powers, and the other would require public notification through signs posted by entrances.
The bill would also give the mall authority to keep those arrested in holding cells until Dearborn Police could arrive on scene.
