Chief Looking into Prisoner Booking at South Shore Plaza

Police Chief Russell Jenkins is reviewing what it would take to add prisoner booking capabilities at the South Shore Plaza.

The Plaza currently has two dedicated patrol officers, paid for by property owner Simon Malls, and a substation near the bathrooms in the food court. The officers patrol the mall and the substation is used primarily for temporary detention, but does not have the resources necessary to book prisoners.

Because of that, an officer must transport prisoners arrested at the Plaza to the police station across town for booking. Jenkins said that during busy periods, especially at night and on weekends, this can put a strain on the booking process at headquarters.

Booking at the Plaza would require a fingerprinting station, camera and sergeant assigned to the mall. It could also mean renovating or re-locating the substation, Jenkins said.

The chief said he could not give a definite price, but that he is looking into how much the project would cost the town. Jenkins also said he would work with Simon Malls to see if they could cover the cost of the sergeant.

Town councilors John Mullaney, Tom Bowes and Sean Powers said they supported the initiative last week, when Jenkins and South Shore Plaza General Manager Rick Tonzi presented holiday security plans to the council and Jenkins spoke about the potential for booking.

Braintree police and the Plaza formerly had plans to boost the number of officers at the mall to five as additional stores and restaurants were added, Jenkins said. That plan did not come to fruition as the economy faltered in recent years.

Tonzi said last week that the Plaza was open to discussion but that it may be difficult to find further funding because of the economy. 

In addition to staffing 1,100 police detail hours during the holiday season, the Plaza recently installed 10 more security cameras, covering each of its entrances to aid police in their investigations of crimes at the mall.