Just in case something happens in Minnesota tomorrow, let's remember that there is a lockdown drill set at The Mall of America for tomorrow.
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The Mall of America went into lockdown mode in 2001, when fugitive Anthony Zappa was spotted at the country's largest mall.
But tenants weren't really sure what to do at the time, said Capt. Heidi Buegler, the mall's manager of emergency operations. Now, Buegler said, things are different.
For two years, the mall has worked with Bloomington police to develop a lockdown procedure, Buegler said. The first full-facility lockdown drills will happen Monday at 10:05 a.m. and 9:25 p.m. Each will last less than four minutes, Buegler said.
What can shoppers expect during the drills?
# Signs about the drill when they come in the door.
# Lots of security and police officers.
# A tone over the public announcement system.
# An announcement that a lockdown is starting and that it's a drill.
Store employees will ask shoppers in common areas to come into their stores during the drills. The stores will shut and lock their doors or gates, turn off lights and move everyone to the back of the stores, Buegler said.
After Jan. 1, the mall will have lockdown drills twice a month — just after opening and right before closing.
Real lockdowns would happen only in "unique circumstances," such as a search for a fugitive, an active shooter or a bomb threat, Buegler said. They're all things that mall officials hope never happen, she said, "but being prepared is the most important thing."
Knowing the mall's lockdown plan also will help Bloomington police with its response, said police Cmdr. Mark Stehlik.
Buegler said the drill shouldn't be a reason for shoppers to stay away from the mall. Rather, she said, it's an excuse to come because they'll get to see training in action. Plus, she said, it "helps our employees and our tenants know what to expect in a real situation."
Back in 2001, Zappa wasn't caught the day he was believed to be at the Mall of America; he was captured the following month in Montana.
If the Zappa situation played out again today, with the lockdown plan in place, "tenants and Mall of America employees would know exactly what to do," Buegler said.
Source: Twin Cities Pioneer Press
###
The Mall of America went into lockdown mode in 2001, when fugitive Anthony Zappa was spotted at the country's largest mall.
But tenants weren't really sure what to do at the time, said Capt. Heidi Buegler, the mall's manager of emergency operations. Now, Buegler said, things are different.
For two years, the mall has worked with Bloomington police to develop a lockdown procedure, Buegler said. The first full-facility lockdown drills will happen Monday at 10:05 a.m. and 9:25 p.m. Each will last less than four minutes, Buegler said.
What can shoppers expect during the drills?
# Signs about the drill when they come in the door.
# Lots of security and police officers.
# A tone over the public announcement system.
# An announcement that a lockdown is starting and that it's a drill.
Store employees will ask shoppers in common areas to come into their stores during the drills. The stores will shut and lock their doors or gates, turn off lights and move everyone to the back of the stores, Buegler said.
After Jan. 1, the mall will have lockdown drills twice a month — just after opening and right before closing.
Real lockdowns would happen only in "unique circumstances," such as a search for a fugitive, an active shooter or a bomb threat, Buegler said. They're all things that mall officials hope never happen, she said, "but being prepared is the most important thing."
Knowing the mall's lockdown plan also will help Bloomington police with its response, said police Cmdr. Mark Stehlik.
Buegler said the drill shouldn't be a reason for shoppers to stay away from the mall. Rather, she said, it's an excuse to come because they'll get to see training in action. Plus, she said, it "helps our employees and our tenants know what to expect in a real situation."
Back in 2001, Zappa wasn't caught the day he was believed to be at the Mall of America; he was captured the following month in Montana.
If the Zappa situation played out again today, with the lockdown plan in place, "tenants and Mall of America employees would know exactly what to do," Buegler said.
Source: Twin Cities Pioneer Press
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