Mall of America and others equip staff and stores with additional technology
Bloomington MN November 8 2023
The nation’s largest mall has begun equipping its security personnel with law enforcement-style body cameras.
In April, some employees began wearing the devices at the Mall of America, a shopping center about 10 miles south of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Will Bernhjelm, the head of security at Minnesota’s Mall of America, gave his workers the devices in April.
“It allows us to go back in time, essentially… To get the entire story,” Will Bernhjelm, who runs the mall’s security department, told Forbes.
But the iconic Midwestern mall isn’t the only employer getting in on the trend.
Major retailers have begun implementing the devices nationwide as a way to fight back against skyrocketing rates of theft.
Companies reported $112 billion in losses last year due to shrink, which includes items lost to theft, damage, and more.
Amid the climate, several security companies have begun designing body cameras specifically for retailer workers.
They tend to be smaller and less intimidating than the models used by law enforcement officers.
Companies charge between $500 and $700 for each unit.
There’s also often a monthly fee for related services, like storing footage in the cloud and blurring out faces.
The trend comes as many customers have begun filming their contentious interactions with retail workers.
“The minute something pops off in a store, everyone has their iPhone out,” James Stark, who used to lead the loss prevention department at Neiman Marcus, told Forbes.
“Retailers are starting to say we need to have our own side of this.”
Experts also say the devices can defuse confrontations with challenging customers.
On one occasion, a woman who spat on a loss prevention employee quietly left the store after she was told the interaction was being filmed.
The Mall of America gets 32 million visitors every year, according to the shopping center’s website.
“There are many layers of security in place to provide a safe environment,” the webpage says.
“It is our priority to continue evolving our security strategies to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.”
