In the weeks leading up to a recent shooting incident at Destiny USA, the mall’s owners had discontinued having a Syracuse Police cruiser rove the parking lots, according to reports.
While the exact date the roving vehicle stopped is unknown, a department spokesperson confirmed it happened in the last month.
Destiny USA’s owners, Pyramid Management Group, have yet to comment on the matter.
The roving police cruiser was intended to deter car break-ins and fights in the parking lot, while also signaling a constant police presence on the property at a time when many shoppers don’t feel safe.
The mall has also dealt with routine larcenies from stores.
Concerns about security at Destiny USA have been reiterated by many in the community in the aftermath of the recent shooting incident. An unidentified man fired into a trash can in the midst of two groups arguing, sending shoppers running for safety. The mall’s safety plan was activated, resulting in tenants taking people into back rooms for safety and shutting the front gates.
In about 20 minutes, police confirmed the shooter had left the property and people were told it was safe to come out. The mall remained closed on Friday and reopened for normal business on Saturday.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh reportedly met with representatives for Pyramid Management Group, but details of the meeting have not been disclosed.
The company has historically been unwilling to discuss safety and security measures at the mall, despite notable shootings or stabbings in 2019, 2021, 2022 and now 2023.
Last March, Juli Boeheim, the wife of SU Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim, was the victim of a high-profile robbery in the Destiny USA parking lot.
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