The Meridian Star asked its Facebook followers in September to share their thoughts on crime and safety at Bonita Lakes Mall.

Here are some of their responses:

• Lee Robinson: My mom had her handbag stolen right from her arm from a moving vehicle. The thieves pushed her so hard they broke her arm. Then the news reported “no one was harmed during this robbery. She was in a cast for months.

• Kathy Talbert: Do y’all feel safe at Wal-Mart? Or the grocery stores around town? Or any of the restaurants? CRIME IS EVERYWHERE….. NOT JUST THE MALL.

I work at Belk P/T and have never had an issue….and the police are constantly patrolling day and night. Yes, there have been some issues. But do I feel safe? Absolutely. There are issues all around town.

• LaCrisha Winstead: I’ve never felt unsafe there. I take my children and have never been bothered or spoken down to in any way. I also like to support small business, and do so. I’m sure bad things have happened there, this is a large city. People should always be aware of their surroundings, there are evil people in the world.

• Kimberly Hall: It’s not an issue of feeling safe. I’ve never had any problems while being there nor have I witnessed any issues. Safety isn’t the problem, the issue is it’s not a mall at all to shop in. Everything is closed!!!

• Michelle Davis Simmons: I don’t feel safe in the parking lot getting in and out of the mall, and the store selection is just sad. Then your car may get broken into while you’re shopping. There’s several reasons why so many go shop out of town.

• Steve Labiche: Personally I have no concerns but I can take care of myself. I’ve heard of problems there so I stay aware while there. 

Keeping the place well lit, maintained and clean as well as a police or security presence in place may help ease concerns.

• Steve Creighton: Let’s see lack of no patrolling of police security on the outside. No security cameras around the outside or on the inside so yes there is very good read to be afraid to go their after dark. The next time you go there ride around and tell me how many security cameras you see. None. So beef up security get security cameras installed inside and outside and more patrolling of police and security guards.

• Blair Manning Miles: I have a friend that was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot. I do NOT feel safe at the mall. 

‘The majority of the time, I have 2 young children with me and I feel like that is prime target. If I’m by myself, I will MAYBE go. I definitely do not go if I have my children with me. The same with WalMart.

• Philip Dail: i don’t personally have concerns for myself. it as long as the jumper cable dude is allowed to go right back to bothering people and it appears he is getting more brazen and more aggressive ya never know what someone like him will do. there needs to be harsher punishment for even his petty harassment..

• Robyn McCarra Holloman: A part from it not being safe…there are hardly any stores in the mall left that I would shop at! I went out of town this summer twice to go shopping just to avoid our mall! Also, it’s not just the mall…I don’t go many places in Meridian after dark…the whole town is not safe!!

• Heather Wall Jones: I don’t feel safe at the mall or any where around town in meridian!

• Margie Rogers Haskins: And that’s why we carry a pistol everywhere we go!

• Blessa Marie Jordan: I feel safe and have never witnessed any violence.

• Kimberly Brown: I have never had an issue shopping at Bonita Lakes Mall.

• Erica Green: We moved from meridian because of safety issues for our family! Best decision EVER!

• Tonya Hancock: We don’t shop in Meridian anymore. It is not safe.

• Janice McKeithen Creighton: No, don’t exactly feel comfortable. Report of gun fire inside near Buckle.