Marine Park has a new holiday tradition — teenagers fighting at Kings Plaza Shopping Center on the day after Christmas.
On Dec. 26, dozens of teenagers got into a ferocious fight at the local mall exactly one year after the marathon “mall brawl” of 2013, which temporarily closed the mall last winter and resulted in a short-lived chaperone policy for teenagers.
A grainy cell phone video captures a fight starting between two teen girls but which erupts into a melee involving dozens of youth. After the first fist flies, several groups of teens began brawling on floor while a few of their peers film the fight. Within seconds, the outnumbered security guards sprinted from group to group, attempting to break up the battles that left a pair of glasses and articles of clothes strewn on the floor.
A spokesman for Kings Plaza said the mall tries to maintain order at all times, and added that the mall’s security team moved swiftly to defuse the situation.
“Please note that we strive to provide an enjoyable and safe shopping environment for our guests and employees at all times at Kings Plaza,” said Steve DeClara, the property manager of the shopping center. “There was an incident regarding teenagers that was effectively dealt with by our security and local police.”
This incident is just the latest example of mall madness.
Last February, another large-scale disturbance forced some stores to close their security gates in the middle of the day. Just two months ago, at least four security guards were caught on tape tussling with a high school freshman at the plaza. The high school student was later arrested for assault and a slew of other charges for allegedly starting the scene.
DeClara said the mall has strict rules and all visitors must comply while they are inside the facility.
“It is important to note that Kings Plaza is private property and we have clear Code of Conduct that is effect at all times, for all people, visiting the center,” he said.
The 63rd precinct did not respond to multiple requests for comment about whether any of the teenagers involved in the incident were arrested.
