Coral Springs Police Chief Requests Added Local Mall Security After Boca Mall Murders

By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

Coral Springs Police Chief Duncan Foster wants to ensure that a repeat tragedy of the Town Center Mall at Boca Raton does not occur at Coral Square Mall.

Prior and even more so since the murder of a Nancy Bochicchio and her 7-year-old daughter Joey in the parking lot of Town Center mall Dec. 12, Foster has repeatedly asked mall management to heighten security and those requests have went unanswered.

“We’ve been in contact with the mall for the last three years trying to discuss security prior to the tragedy at the Boca mall. Since Boca we’ve increased our efforts to try to get in contact with the company and set up a meeting,” Foster told the Our Town News. “Our first and foremost concern is for the safety of our residents and visitors alike, to the property. With the recent tragic events at the Town Center in Boca Raton, I am concerned about the lack of communication with Simon Properties and the City of Coral Springs.”

Foster said countless requests have not been answered. Among the most recent requests included asking mall management to add more off duty police officers during the holidays. Since this request and each prior request were not granted, Foster decided to write a letter to mall management.

“Over the last three years, the police department has dedicated one officer to your property every day, at our expense. In November of 2007, I personally met with mall management to discuss our security concerns as it related to the upcoming holidays. I was assured that Simon Properties would be more than willing to increase the security at the mall during these holiday hours by hiring additional off duty police officers,” wrote Chief Foster in a letter sent to John Petruzzi, Vice President of Corporate Security for the Simon Property Group Feb. 13. “That never happened.”

After that request was not fulfilled, Foster scheduled various meetings with mall management and all were cancelled.
“To date, we have attempted to schedule three separate meetings with mall management to discuss our security concerns. We have yet been able to sit down with anyone from Simon Properties to discuss this,” wrote Foster.

The Town Center at Boca Raton is expected to enhance the existing camera systems in place at the mall at no cost to the city of Boca Raton, according to Foster’s letter.

He added, “Although the Coral Square Mall is only 13 miles away, no one has contacted our Department to discuss any security arrangements at the Coral Square Mall with regards to the recent tragedy at the Town Center or to discuss any potential partnership to alleviate future security concerns.”

Gary Bitner, spokesperson for the Coral Square Mall, said the new mall manager will meet with Foster Feb. 26.

“We’re anxious to address the concerns the Chief has and will take whatever steps necessary regarding security. It is a major focus of the mall,” said Bitner. “There is a significant security program in place at the Coral Square Mall and all company malls.”

Bitner says Boca Raton’s Town Center has added additional security since the murders including: a Boca Raton police sub station, added security cameras, strong retailers and an employee safety program, moved the valet parking areas farther away so there are more spaces for customers. In addition, all mall locations will have the sketch of the murder suspect at every entrance.

Foster believes the Coral Springs Police Department and Simon Properties can reach an agreement at the meeting.

“I’m confident we will get the security issues resolved and the residents and visitors will be and feel safe,” Foster said.

Coral Springs Commissioner Roy Gold hopes mall security will become top priority.

“My first responsibility and the commissions is the safety and security of residents and visitors. We’re very proud that Duncan Foster wrote the letter, and we’re glad to see some action taken from the mall to get together and strengthen the partnership,” Gold said. “We want people that visit Coral Springs to be happy, safe, and comfortable.”