1. ^aDepartment of Law, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada. E-mail: grigakos@connect.carleton.ca
2. ^bRAND Corporation, 1200 S Hayes St., Arlington, VA 22202, U.S.A. E-mail: robert_davis@rand.org
3. ^cCenter for Security and Disaster Response, New York Institute of Technology, Northern Boulevard, Old Westbury, NY 11568, U.S.A. E-mail: cortiz03@nyit.edu
4. ^dCentre for Initiatives in Education, 1516 Dunton Tower, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada. E-mail: allan_blunt@carleton.ca
5. ^eMidwest Research Institute, 518 17th Street, 17th Floor, Denver, CO 86202, U.S.A. E-mail: joebroz@mriresearch.org

Abstract

In the last four decades, modernity has increasingly become equated with a globalized "world risk society." In the same period, the private security sector has grown significantly in size and prominence for the maintenance of public safety. This article reports the results of a survey of large retail malls to prevent and respond to terrorist attack in the United States after 9/11. A national survey of security directors (n=120) of large shopping malls over 250,000 square feet (n=1,372) was conducted in two phases beginning in the Summer of 2004. Few concrete changes to security expenditures and measures have resulted since 9/11. Half of security directors believe their respective mall is unprepared for terrorist attack and fewer than a third have rehearsed for terrorist incidents with public agencies such as police, ambulance, and fire services. There has also reportedly been little direct support from the Department of Homeland Security. Nonetheless, most mall security directors report additional training for their officers, the implementation of policies regarding suspected terrorist activity and the creation of emergency response plans. The authors consider these results in light of public fear, the perceived risk of another terrorist attack, and the priorities of mall security directors surveyed.