Even with crowds, crime is low at South Coast Plaza

Mall security, Costa Mesa Police substation contribute to safe atmosphere at shopping center during the holiday rush, officers say.In the dwindling days of Christmas shopping, the stores and parking lots of South Coast Plaza have been packed with shoppers searching for that last-minute gift.

Mall traffic skyrockets during the holiday shopping season, but that’s not true for mall crime. Between the South Coast Plaza Security and Costa Mesa police stationed there, criminal activity has been scant -- all season long, police said.

“South Coast Plaza is probably the safest place in Orange County, with this Costa Mesa Police substation here and our own security group, you couldn’t be safer,” said mall spokeswoman Debra Gunn-Downing.

Crime at the mall has dropped in recent years, something that can be attributed to an ever-present security force made up of police and the South Coast Plaza Security, said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Mark Manley, who heads up a police substation at the mall.

“Our greatest tool is the ability to get out and be seen,” Manley said.

This holiday season, although busy at the mall, has been quiet in terms of security issues. The most frequent crime is shoplifting, and many of the mall’s department stores have their own loss-prevention specialists who work closely with police, Manley said.

Keeping traffic moving in the mall’s parking lots -- and ensuring that motorists get in and out of South Coast Plaza safely -- is the biggest challenge, Manley said.

South Coast Plaza has its own private security force of more than 100 people, patrolling on bikes, in cars and on foot. In addition, security is supplemented by a substation of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

The partnership between police and South Coast Plaza Security is a model for mall security, Manley said.

“Without them, our job would be much more difficult,” he said.

Manley and his four-person detail spend most of their time walking through the mall or patrolling the parking lots in police cruisers. Police look for any obvious signs of criminal activity, such as a potential shoplifter carrying a booster bag -- an old shopping bag used to steal from retail stores, Manley said.

“When the customers see us, they appreciate it. I think they like a sense of security,” Manley said.

The police officers not only provide security but also act a community representative of the Police Department. During patrols, they regularly interact with people.

During a Thursday afternoon patrol inside the mall, Manley and Reserve Officer Dan Guth stopped several times to talk with kids.

“It’s kind of neat to see their faces lights up,” Guth said, after giving a junior police officer sticker to one little boy.

“That’s the best part of my job, right there,” Manley said.20051223irxclkncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Costa Mesa police officer Dan Guth greets Erik Medina, 7, and his father, Ricardo, as he passes out stickers Thursday.