Mall Cop K9

[DataGeek19]

I was at the Greenwood Park Mall yesterday and noticed mall security with a dog. I couldn’t find much information about Simon Malls use of dogs, so I am curious.

So what are they trained for? Drug detection, crowd control, emotional support, gun detection, mall walkers? I didn’t have the opportunity to ask.

I did find a few articles about malls using gun detection dogs:

Northlake Mall adds security, gun-sniffing dog after string of gun violence

Starting in April, Northlake Mall will add five new security measures, one of which is a gun-sniffing dog.

www.wfae.org

Carolina Place Mall introduces firearm-detecting dog as new security measure

“Carlos” will roam the mall, sniffing out any firearms that may be on the property.

www.wbtv.com

https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/04/04/mall-of-america-firearm-detection-dogs-new-security

I miss the days of Paul Blart!

 

[littletommy]

I’ve been saying for a while now that if these stores that are being robbed blind would hire a couple of security guys with say, belgian malinois, their problems would end day one. But we all know society doesn’t have the stomach for that.

 

[Twangbanger]

I cannot imagine the legal department for a Mall property "signing off" on the occupational use of a dog whose intended use is to bite "Tha Public."

 

[Nugget]

So what are they trained for? Drug detection, crowd control, emotional support, gun detection, mall walkers? I didn’t have the opportunity to ask.

Security detail at a mall retail store is probably an emotionally draining job these days. You know you're going to witness theft, and you know that if you try to intervene you could be injured, killed, fired, jailed, cancelled, or all of the above. With that in mind, I think your assumption of an emotional support animal is probably correct.

 

[Twangbanger]

...I can't wait until local news breathlessly reports the latest thug-craze:

"Unfired guns that aren't detectable by security measures because they don't give off any scent!"

 

[yeahbaby]

I’ve been saying for a while now that if these stores that are being robbed blind would hire a couple of security guys with say, belgian malinois, their problems would end day one. But we all know society doesn’t have the stomach for that.

I like it!

 

[Tactically Fat]

Explosive-sniffing dogs.

 

[jsx1043]

Explosive-sniffing dogs.

This is correct. And believe it or not, they do have a good training and certification program, as well as competent handlers. I know many of the folks running the program within the company and have entertained the notion of going to work for them after I retire. After 15 years of K9, my wife said if I bring another work dog home that we’re getting a divorce so… maybe?

 

[DataGeek19]

Explosive-sniffing dogs.

So, could they theoretically alert on guns as seen at other malls around the country?

 

[Shadow01]

Disappointed this doesn’t involve Sid and Bart…

 

[jsx1043]

So, could they theoretically alert on guns as seen at other malls around the country?

In theory, yes. Vapor wake scent trailing is quite difficult and takes a LOT of training, of which I’m not sure how much time they dedicate to it. Many factors make up odor detection, the most important of which are quantity, mobility and air movement. One gun (and ammo?) + person walking + crowded mall makes for a tough target. I don’t know how successful K9 teams have been in their approaches at other malls that have been operating longer.

 

[bwframe]

What is a mall security gun dog more likely to alert on?

Clean, well lubed gun?
Dirty gun?
Carried daily gun vs just for today?

How close does the dog need to get?

 

[TheGrumpyGuy]

What is a mall security gun dog more likely to alert on?

Clean, well lubed gun?
Dirty gun?
Carried daily gun vs just for today?

How close does the dog need to get?

Stendo-mag print under the hoodie

 

[printcraft]

What if I dab some hoppes on the soles of my shoes and strut around the mall?

 

[bwframe]

What if I dab some hoppes on the soles of my shoes and strut around the mall?

What if you took the bottle with you and left "breadcrumbs?"

 

[Expat]

They got one for the Simon Mall in Mishawaka after a couple of the shootings there by their South Bend guests.

 

[Denny347]

What if I dab some hoppes on the soles of my shoes and strut around the mall?

Then you'd have Hoppes on your shoe. But Hoppes doesn't smell like explosives so you'll be fine in that respect.

 

[jsx1043]

What is a mall security gun dog more likely to alert on?

Clean, well lubed gun?
Dirty gun?
Carried daily gun vs just for today?

How close does the dog need to get?

Of anything gun related (versus actual explosives), the dog would indicate on the black powder in the cartridges. I’ve had a dog that would hit on one live round thrown 70 feet into a high grass field, and I’ve also had a dog that would forget his own name. So ultimately, it doesn’t matter how dirty or clean the gun is, what matters is how good the handler and K9 are, and to what amount of explosive material they have trained on.

 

[wcd]

This is correct. And believe it or not, they do have a good training and certification program, as well as competent handlers. I know many of the folks running the program within the company and have entertained the notion of going to work for them after I retire. After 15 years of K9, my wife said if I bring another work dog home that we’re getting a divorce so… maybe?

Dogs have a lot more ability than people give them credit for. One of the off spring of our LGD’s has undergone extensive training and can now predict seizures .

Tank has his day job, and moonlights as a furniture mover. He can push our couch back a good foot in his getting comfortable process.

 

[Shadow01]

What if I dab some hoppes on the soles of my shoes and strut around the mall?

If all you are wearing is hoppes and shoes, my guess is arrested…