The older man who physically assaulted me early this month in a Boston mall has not caused additional trouble, is now on the city police radar, and is eligible for criminal charges should he return and continue assaulting people, the mall’s top security authority told me early this week.
Less than 72 hours after he suddenly shoved me as I descended some steps in the early afternoon of August 6, the security official and I discussed the incident. He then tasked an understudy to further probe the incident. A wise friend had suggested I report the Saturday incident to the mall and inquire about any video footage as well as the protocol for handling these types of occurrences.
While I spoke with the two mall security representatives, my primary concerns emerged: whether the suspect still presented a threat to public safety and the validity of my complaint. During the first conversation, the security official did reference the opportunity to press charges if merited with Boston Police, but I told him I’m not sure that’s what the suspect needs. And during this week’s conversation, many of my concerns were allayed and suspicions were confirmed.
Though the assault was entirely unprovoked and unexpected, I did notice the suspect appeared to be under distress and maybe influenced by some substance so I was pleased to learn this past Monday that the mall works closely with a local homeless shelter as well as city emergency services. Wearing soiled clothing and with unkempt personal hygiene, the man presently is subject of a ‘BOLO’, which is cop-talk for Be On the LookOut.
Since the midday Saturday assault, he has not knowingly reappeared. But immediately prior to shoving me, he had been bumping into others at the mall thus was tailed by a security guard who witnessed the assault, the head told me, differentiating between him bumping into others versus physically shoving me.
Open to the public 24 hours a day and seven days per week, the mall is a crossway and nobody — not even troublemakers — may be kicked out, the security head told me. They can be approached and told they’re not welcome to return, but all are welcome.
So too was I wondering about the accuracy of my memory for the incident, given it was entirely unexpected. The head confirmed that I had been shoved, that I was surprised and that I backed away from the man, also noting I only am able to view the footage if I opt to move forward and file charges with BPD. He credited me with not retaliating when the incident originally occurred.
And the concern I had about the security guard who witnessed the assault as he saw the suspect bump into others at the mall remained. Though he had been following the suspect and was keeping a close eye on him while using his radio to alert other security personnel, he never did approach me as he was supposed to. The correct response would have been to dispatch a supervisor to take my information, but he did not which the security head termed a ‘lapse’.
Thus closes an occurrence I considered little more than a bother, unless another incident involving the man occurs. That is certainly a possibility given the whole premise of this incident was the surprise, unexpected attack.
The incident could have been worse as well, given a nationwide uptick in violence. I pass through that mall several times a week and during my most recent visit, which happened to be just yesterday, I recalled the assault while in the exact area where it occurred.
The memory is likely to stay with me though gradually fade as life goes on. But I’ll still keep my eyes and ears open wide while in that mall and elsewhere.