Vanderbilt Police Take Over Security At 100 Oaks Mall

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently moved into the 100 Oaks Shopping Center, bringing a lot more traffic to the area - and more security.

The new medical offices have brought thousands of new workers, shoppers, and patients to the mall. With that progress comes more security concerns. Officials said Vanderbilt Police have met the challenge.

Vanderbilt University's police department has taken over all security operations on the mall property. The armed police officers with arrest powers make all the difference, according to shoppers and merchants.

"I noticed right away when I came in. I saw Vanderbilt patrols out there. I hadn't noticed before," says shopper Mary Diehl.

Vanderbilt police now protect and serve the massive 100 Oaks shopping and medical complex. The addition of the university's Vanderbilt health services means the mall is now an extension of the main campus.

"I see them on foot. I've seen them in the car going up and down waving at people," says Diehl.

"We came out here into the unknown, not knowing how everything would go and how we would be received," says Lieutenant Terry Hutcherson with the Vanderbilt Police Department.

Hutcherson says they have issued 29 misdemeanor citations, mostly for shoplifting. One store employee was arrested for stealing money.

Officers have also given out 5 traffic citations, mostly for running stop signs.

"We've been heavily patrolling the parking areas and made some improvements there," says Hutcherson.

Mall merchants notice major improvements over the private security guards that patrolled 100 Oaks before. They say police officers are readily available when needed.

"It's like night and day, three to five minutes when you call. They're right here and come really fast," says store owner Ronald Gooch.

Vanderbilt police are on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"They come in the store and browse the store every 30 minutes to an hour," says Gooch.

"People go to the clinics and different things and see what kind of security they have out here, word of mouth will spread that it's a pretty good place to come," says health services patient Clarence Lewis.

Vanderbilt police plan some outreach education programs for the hundreds of employees on the 100 Oaks campus, including self defense classes and parking lot safety.