ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke Police Department hosted their monthly community walk, this time at the Valley View Mall.
Chief Scott Booth said the location choice was about more than just the cold weather. Officers spoke with business owners about security concerns like shoplifting and safety during emergencies.
“The mall is a community it’s got its own little ecosystem so you know we have a lot of business owners that from time to time need us, lot of folks that work in here who need us. we love getting out and connecting with our community and this is a big part of our community,” Scott Booth, Roanoke Police Chief, said.
Booth referenced an incident last year where police responded to a false report of shots fired at the mall. However, Boot credits mall security working with RPD Officers for cracking down on unattended teenagers and rowdy behavior.