MORE: Liberty Center to impact local tourism, crime, property values
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said the change worries him.
“Malls and shopping centers are targets, we have seen that,” Jones said. “And we are going to see more. Now, all they will have is a little security guy walking around in a nice little outfit. They can’t stop anything, they will have to call us to respond.”
Liberty Center modeled its security initially after plans similar to Easton Town Center and other retail outlets that combine retail-provided security with area law enforcement.
Jones said Liberty Center security has indicated it may hire some off-duty officers a couple days a week, but he says that is just not enough to secure the safety of diners, shoppers and the nearly 150 people who live at Liberty Center.
“You have seen it, attacks at malls, terrorist attacks a locations where a lot of people are injured, ” the sheriff said. “It is on I-75 — an easy target.”
Liberty Center sent a statement via email in response to Jones’ comments.
“We value our relationship with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and look forward to a continued professional partnership to keep Liberty Center a safe destination for our guests and tenants,” said Kevin Cedik, Liberty Center’s general manager. “The Butler County Sheriff’s Office continues to have a prominent presence at Liberty Center with deputy sheriffs’ coverage scheduled according to guest visitation and other patterns on the property.”
“We do not discuss specific security plans,” Cedik said.
MORE: Liberty Center opening expected to double the traffic in the area
Matala worked a 3 to 11 p.m. shift hand-in-hand with Liberty Center’s security staff. He also helped with set-up for events and traffic concerns. But his primary job was to respond quickly to any criminal call.
“I did a lot of bike patrolling, which out there means I could get around quickly,” he said.
In October, November and December 2015, there were 348 calls for law enforcement, and in 2016 through September, 919 calls. The complaints include shoplifting, drugs, fights, vandalism, indecent exposure, car crashes, intoxicated people, noise and domestic disturbances.
“It is a city within the township,” Matala said, noting the security staff of about 18 are great to work with, but they are not armed and do not have arrest powers. “They have flashlights and handcuffs. They are there primarily to observe and report.”
Matala, whose annual salary is $54,537, will go back to road patrol when his contract ends at the end of this month.
Jones said his department will have to pick up the load of responding to Liberty Center when a crime occurs, which can impact units patrolling the remainder of the township.
“It will kill our resources that the taxpayers have already paid for,” Jones said.
