STORES TIGHT-LIPPED ABOUT SECURITY

The busiest shopping day of the year at West Park Mall Friday meant security guard Al Lloyd would have to do his talking on the run.

"I don't even have time to sit down today," Lloyd said while walking briskly through the mall during a midafternoon interview. "We've got to be on the lookout for just about anything today."

Lloyd said Friday's dense mall traffic was, for the most part, problem free. "It's been pretty good so far," he said. "It's a long day, though."

Security was such a high priority at West Park Mall, store managers said they were unable to disclose information about thwarting would-be shoplifters.

The only thing managers would say is that they "beef up" security to handle the additional traffic.

People at the West Park Mall administrative offices said they were unable to discuss what kind of security operation is in force when the holiday shopping season arrives.

The West Park Mall Security office hires additional guards to survey the area outside of stores.

"We don't just deal with shoplifters," Lloyd said. "We have to contend with accidents, and we watch for children who are having problems.

"If a child gets lost, we bring them back to their families," he added. "We also must look out for any kind of trouble that develops. We are on the lookout for problems with young people more than anything else."

There are at least three security guards in uniform at any given time during mall shopping hours. There also are guards hired by stores and the security office, who don't wear a uniform.

If people are caught shoplifting, they are turned over to West Park Mall Security personnel, who notify the police department if the store wants to press charges.

"This is the most hectic day of the year for me," Lloyd said. "It's a lot more crowded than last year, and this is just the first day.

"It will be like this, or close to it, from now until Christmas," he said. "I'd like to talk more, but I've got to run now."