In response to this week’s shootings at an Omaha, NE mall that left nine dead, local malls around Los Angeles have increased security, perhaps in fear of copycat attacks, or because of heightened sensitivity to an active risk.

Accordingly, when a message was posted online “that a shooting attack would occur at The Grove on December 6, 2007,” the response was unusually rapid. According the LAPD Blog, within hours a suspect was arrested – in Melbourne, Australia – and charged with “Creating a False Belief.” It was also determined that the suspect, 20 year old Jarrad Willis, “did not have any operational capability to carry out his threat.”

KCAL 9 visited Glendale Galleria yesterday, where they reporty security there and at other Los Angeles area malls have been beefed up. One shopper mentioned that a friend warned her against going shopping, in fear of a repeat of the events in Omaha.

Even before the Omaha shooting, security was already at a heightened state beginning in late November after warnings that Al Qaeda may target shopping malls during the holiday season. Assorted news outlets now openly speculate whether or not metal detectors should be installed at mall entrances, although its a concept that doesn’t seem to have much traction in the public’s response.

The question for readers is: have the events in Omaha or terror threats given you even the slightest pause in venturing out into public? Or has it made you more concious and aware of potential threats around you while shopping?

Related posts:

1. The Valley of the Malls
2. The Grinch Hates Los Angeles
3. Design Flaws in Local Malls Way Too Apparent
4. Sleeper Terrorist Cell in Los Angeles!
5. LA Attack?