Mid Rivers Mall announces 'Youth Escort Policy'

Mid Rivers Mall, in St. Peters, has announced plans to implement a Youth Escort Policy (YEP), which its manager says, will be designed to provide shoppers and retailers with a family-friendly, convenient and enjoyable shopping experience.  The new policy, which will be enforced beginning Friday, May 28, requires all mall visitors under 18 years of age to be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is 21 years of age or older after 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Mid Rivers Mall management is implementing the policy in response to feedback from local government, business leaders, school officials and members of the St. Charles County community. 

"We have initiated a dialogue with area community leaders, shoppers and retailers that have voiced a concern about the issue of inappropriate behavior of unsupervised youth at the mall," said Mid Rivers Mall general manager Kurt Bohlmann.  "As a result of this feedback we have designed a policy that will allow Mid Rivers Mall to address this issue and provide all of our shoppers, and retailers, with a pleasant shopping experience."

Teens under the age of 18 are welcome to shop at the mall on Friday and Saturday nights. "We are only asking that these young people shop with a parent or guardian who is 21 years of age or older during six of the total 72 shopping hours the mall is open each week," Bohlmann said.

Teens employed at the mall will be allowed to work after 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and Mid Rivers Mall will issue identification to teens under 18 years of age for ease of access to work during those times.

"Mid Rivers Mall is committed to remaining a center of commerce in St. Charles County that brings quality stores and shoppers together," Bohlmann said.