By Alleen Brown

Security force: The Mall has its own internally run private security force of more than 100 officers who work with the Bloomington Police Department to prevent crime. It is highly unusual for a mall to train and run its own security force, according to Dan Jasper, director of public relations. The Bloomington police have a sub-station in the Mall and are on hand to deal with more serious issues and to make arrests if necessary.

Crime: Mall of America crime rates are increasing, but they don't near their all-time high in 1998. Theft, disturbance and drug-related crimes are particularly on the rise, while crimes like assault, vehicle theft and vandalism are declining. Theft, unsurprisingly, is by far the most common.

This report is part of a special MinnPost project done in coordination with the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Alleen Brown is a senior journalism and global studies student at the University of Minnesota.