Cherry Hill Mall Bans Unaccompanied Minors On Day After Christmas

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill Mall will prohibit unaccompanied minors for part of Thursday, keeping up with the shopping center's post-Christmas protocol.

Anyone 17 and younger must be with a parent or supervising adult age 21 or older from 4-7 p.m. Thursday. Proof of age will be required for admittance, according to Cherry Hill police, who will increase their presence at the mall.

"Parents and guardians should not be dropping off their children unsupervised at retail shopping centers," the police department said Thursday morning. "Juveniles not acting responsibly will be escorted from the property and those engaging in criminal behavior will be arrested and prosecuted."

A parent or supervising adult can accompany up to four youths.

In recent years, Cherry Hill Mall has prohibited unaccompanied children during peak hours on the day after Christmas. The policy stems from a Dec. 26, 2017, incident in which hundreds of minors became unruly inside the crowded mall. Five of them were charged with offenses including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

The day after Christmas is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with post-holiday clearances, belated holiday shopping and gift card spending contributing to an influx of retail traffic. Almost all schools are also off for winter break during that time, while some parents are returning to work.

Cherry Hill Mall closes at 7 p.m. Thursday.