How ironic: The Internet — perceived by some as home to every imaginable danger and bogeyman — is being cited as a safe haven by shoppers frightened away from malls by the horror in Omaha.
How sad, too, because there’s honestly no reason for anyone to avoid their local mall … at least no reason beyond the usual parking and checkout line nightmares.
“It’s far more dangerous to drive to and from the mall than to be in the mall,” says security expert Bruce Schneier, who has written extensively on subject of the imbalance between public fears and actual threats.
Yet even a cursory look online shows an abundance of overreaction to this latest senseless slaughter in Nebraska and a handful of other crimes at malls across the nation.
From a Virginia television station’s Web site:
Safety’s always on your mind when you’re out, but with the recent shootings locally and nationally most are watching their back more than ever. Every shopper we spoke with stressed their concerns about their safety. No one feels 100% safe while shopping these days.
“I am very afraid,” said Victoria Gillman. Especially after Tuesday night’s shooting in the parking lot of Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News. A woman was shot while getting out of her car. Many, especially women who spoke to WAVY.com, say they now plan to shop during the day.
“I think I’ll be traveling with someone,” said Deria Willis. Some shoppers have even started choosing alternatives to traditional mall shopping. “I’ve been doing a little more shopping online,” said Willis.
Not to downplay the seriousness of the crime, or that it matters to the victim, but the Virginia shooting stemmed from a robbery attempt made notable not only because of its location but the fact that the suspect is a 14-year-old boy.
More in a similar vein:
“This is another reason I like to shop online, seems a lot safer.”
“Another reason to stay at home and shop online.”
“For what it’s worth, this is the fourth time this has happened in a shopping mall in the U.S. this year. I’d advise you all to shop online.”
“It makes you afraid to go to the mall … You don’t know what’s going to happen.”
You get the idea.
But will people actually act upon these fears? Avoid the mall? Shop more online?
Says Schneier: “Yes. People regularly act on their fears, rational or not.”
