San Fernando Valley : Mall Hires Mounted Security Guards

Fallbrook Mall is a safe place to shop, says the shopping center’s marketing director, Sherry DeCovich. But after three slayings on or near mall grounds, mall executives are using big bargains and extra security to attract holiday shoppers.

During the peak shopping days of Nov. 17 through New Year’s, two mounted security officers in red shirts will patrol the parking lot of the West Hills mall every afternoon and evening.

The Royal Courtesy Mounted Patrol officers are a there to “help with traffic control, serve as a crime deterrent in the parking lot during our busiest time of the season, escort families and kids to their cars, pass out coloring books to kids and pose for pictures,” DeCovich said.

Two months ago, 23-year-old Ryan Willis of Woodland Hills was shot to death in front of the mall’s L.A. Tronics store after a quarrel with an acquaintance. In June, Taft High School student Ramtin Shaolian was killed in a drive-by shooting behind the General Cinemas Theaters.

And in 1993, Oscar William Torres, 29, assistant manager of L.A. Tronics, was killed when he offered a ride to a man who said his truck had broken down.

The mounted officers, provided by Alpha & Omega Services of Southlake, Tex., are “never armed,” DeCovich said, but are trained to use their horses in self-defense.

Northridge Fashion Center employs a similar patrol every year during the holidays.

In the meantime, retail giants Kmart, Old Navy and Burlington Coat Factory have opened at the beleaguered shopping center.