Police in Livingston, New Jersey, are warning residents, and especially teenagers, to stay away from the township's old shopping mall, which has become a magnet for trespassers. The department posted a warning on its social media pages about a developing issue, as a growing number of people break into the largely empty building to explore it.
Officers say the problem is being driven in part by the internet. Trespassing at the site appears to be fueled by social media posts encouraging people to come and explore the abandoned mall, a trend that has drawn in juveniles in particular and turned the shuttered property into an unofficial hangout spot for those looking for somewhere to go.
The mall is in the final stages of emptying out. The Barnes and Noble store is described as the last remaining occupant, and it is set to transition out of the location soon. Once that happens, the building will stand essentially vacant, a condition that has only added to its appeal for those looking to get inside and wander the empty corridors.
The site itself has a future, even if it is not yet defined. The township is looking at several plans to redevelop the 43 acre property along Eisenhower Parkway. For now, there is no hard timeline set for that redevelopment, leaving the large parcel in a holding pattern as officials weigh their options for what comes next.
In the meantime, police are taking a hard line on anyone who ventures inside. Authorities stress that the mall is still private property, and that entering it without authorization is against the law. Those caught breaking into the facility without permission can expect to be charged for it, the department warned.
The consequences, police say, are not trivial. Trespassing at the site can mean earning a criminal record, an outcome officers describe as very serious for the young people involved. The department has asked parents to have a conversation with their children to make sure they are not out at the mall causing problems.
To back up the warning, police have increased their presence around the property. Officers have stepped up patrols in the area, reinforcing the message that the abandoned mall is off limits and that what might seem like harmless fun can carry real legal consequences for those who ignore the warnings.