2 Montgomery County Malls Issue New Rules For Teens: What To Know

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Starting next week, two malls serving Montgomery County will implement juvenile curfews.

The new "Parental Guidance Policy" is coming to Westfield Wheaton and Westfield Montgomery and will require that any visitor under the age of 18 be accompanied "at all times" by a parent or guardian who is 21 or older.

Any individual who refuses to comply or becomes a repeat offender could face a ban from the mall.

The new measure takes effect Sept. 28 and runs from 3 p.m. until closing.

Westfield Wheaton currently closes at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, whereas Westfield Montgomery closes at 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Both malls close at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Hours are subject to change in the coming months due to the holiday shopping season.

However, there is a limit as to how many minors can be supervised by one adult. The new policy states a supervising adult can only accompany a maximum of four minors while on Westfield property.

Officials say that supervising adults may be required to show identification, which can range from a driver's license to a state-issued ID card or a passport, among other documentation.

The policy does provide exemptions for anyone under 18 who is employed at the mall, or in situations regarding "legitimate emergencies."

Westfield's new policy comes as the shopping mall has seen an uptick in youth violence.

In May, a 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after a stabbing near the carnival at the Wheaton mall. Weeks later, a 17-year-old boy was arrested and charged for opening fire inside the same shopping center.