The Avenue At White Marsh Reminds Public Of Youth Escort Policy

WHITE MARSH, MD — The Avenue at White Marsh rolled out a new way of enforcing its youth escort policy. The policy requires those age 17 and under to leave the property at 9 p.m., and if they do not, they will be banned from the premises for three months.

"While this Youth Escort Policy has been in effect for some time, our approach to enforcement will change," according to a statement released this week by The Avenue at White Marsh. In it, the shopping center said it has had its youth escort in place since 2005.

Those who do not have proof of age that they are 17 or older must have arranged transportation from the property before 9 p.m.

At 8 p.m., staff members will remind young people that in an hour they must leave. Those waiting for pickup will be directed to the Barnes & Noble area, where parking spots are reserved for rides.

The change is being made to protect the young visitors and the shopping center, officials said.

Staffers are also planning to make an effort to head off youths walking over to The Avenue once the White Marsh Mall closes at 9 p.m.

Young people walking from the mall should use crosswalks at Campbell Boulevard or Corporate Drive to cross Honeygo Boulevard.

If crossing Honeygo Boulevard from the White Marsh Mall after 8 p.m., young people "should expect to provide our team with information regarding their transportation from the property" and "those who do not have transportation arranged will be directed to do so and wait in a designated location," according to The Avenue officials.

"At no time should a child be directed to leave the Mall at 9pm and wait for a ride at THE AVENUE. In these instances, young people will be offered the opportunity to wait in a designated location and will be issued a 3-month barring for violation of our Youth Escort Policy."

The Avenue at White Marsh also reminded visitors of its rules of etiquette, which range from policies on smoking to bicycles to walking in large groups.

Here are the rules:

• No smoking in the main plaza or any store, including electronic cigarettes.
• No standing or walking in large groups, causing inconvenience to others.
• No soliciting information or distributing literature.
• No loitering .
• No loud or obscene language/gestures.
• No disorderly or disruptive conduct of any nature.
• No possession of alcoholic or illegal substance.
• No act that could result in harm to persons or property.
• No inappropriate or offensive attire.
• No use of the common areas without prior approval by property management.
• Bicyclists must walk with their bikes on the property or put them on bike racks, sprinkled around the premises.
• No skateboarding and no roller skates.
• No parking overnight.

Read the policy from The Avenue at White Marsh.