Northlake Mall adds gun-sniffing dog, more security after recent shootings

Northlake Mall is ramping up its security — including adding a gun-sniffing dog —following three shootings in less than three months at the north Charlotte shopping destination.

Northlake Mall is adding five measures to its security program, Spinoso Real Estate Group, which maintains and operates the mall, said Monday. The new security measures could start next month, Spinoso said.

“We have been proactively working with the CMPD to ensure the safety of our retailers, employees and customers while working to prevent these events from happening in the future,” Spinoso CEO Carmen Spinoso said in a statement.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings said the mall has been “a vigilant and dedicated partner” for ensuring a safe environment.

Security steps added at the mall

Working with police, here’s what Northlake Mall shoppers will see, and won’t, for added security:

▪ More staff and off-duty CMPD uniformed police officer patrols

▪ Canine firearm detection patrols

▪ Large public view monitors installed at the mall’s entrances and in high-traffic areas

▪ Upgrades to the more than 140 cameras inside and outside the mall with technology to enhance security capabilities

▪ Adding vehicle recognition technology at entrances that cross-reference with CMPD’s Real Time Crime Command Center which reads license plates.

It’s the first time Northlake Mall will have a K-9 unit, Spinoso officials said Monday. The canine is in training through Allied Universal.

Spinoso declined to say how much the new security measures at the mall will cost.

The mall’s existing security measures include:

▪ Onsite 24/7 security

▪ A Youth Supervision Policy, updated two years ago, requiring anyone younger than 17 to be accompanied by a parent or adult age 21 or older after 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The mall has had a curfew since 2009.

▪ Active shooter training for all retailers and employees

Northlake Mall violence

In all three recent incidents at the mall, arguments led to gunfire.

▪ On Feb. 28, an argument between two people in the parking lot outside Macy’s escalated into gunfire, police said. Four cars were hit, but no injuries were reported.

▪ On Feb. 5, a dispute between two people escalated to shots fired inside the mall in front of the DTLR shoe store. There were no reports of injuries, and the mall closed early for the day.

▪ On Dec. 15, a teen fired a gun during an argument inside a store, near the former old Dick’s Sporting Goods, hitting a man and a bystander. The victims had non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. The mall closed early. Three people, ranging in age from 17 to 21, were arrested.

Northlake Mall’s store closings

The recent shootings aren’t the only setback for the two-story, 1.1-million-square-foot mall that went into receivership in May 2021 after failing to pay its debts.

Two stores closed this month, but neither said why it was exiting the mall.

On Sunday, the national apparel retailer Buckle closed.

On March 1, Apple store closed in the middle of the day, the day after a shooting on the property. Apple said it would open another store in the Charlotte area early next year.

What’s next for Northlake Mall after Apple store’s hasty exit and trio of shootings

Northlake tenant occupancy was nearly 74%, according to N.C. Business Court filings in January. The national average is 89%.

Spinoso, of Syracuse, N.Y., said in the court filings it had completed five new tenant deals, and renewed 15 tenants leases, including Apple and American Eagle. Two deals also were in draft status, including a gym in the former Dick’s Sporting Goods location. In 2021, Dick’s relocated to Simon mall Concord Mills about five miles away.

New retail, dining and entertainment venues opening at Northlake will be announced in the coming months, Spinoso said Monday.

Other malls increase security

Northlake Mall isn’t the only Charlotte-area to increase security measures and safety protocols following gunfire and shootings.

Last year, Carolina Place mall in Pineville also added K-9 patrols to detect firearms.

Other steps have included more police presence, adding security cameras, and adopting more curfews.

In 2021, Concord Mills started a curfew policy requiring children 17 and younger to be with an adult age 21 or older after 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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