By Mike Hazlip—
Authorities closed Sunrise Mall early on Saturday night after a group of five to 10 juveniles caused a disturbance at one of the businesses inside the mall.
The incident occurred on Feb. 18 where the group of juveniles were seen shouting profanities at employees of Claire’s. Citrus Heights Police Officer Jeff Schouten worked with mall security personnel to escort the group out of the facility.
Authorities then decided to close the mall as a result of the altercation, Police Sgt. Ken Lewis said in a phone call Tuesday. The mall closed sometime after 7 p.m., about an hour before the normal closing time.
Schouten was assigned to the Sunrise MarketPlace business district as a dedicated officer in April of 2020, with the MarketPlace also adding private security patrols in 2021. The district has reported a subsequent drop in criminal activity as well as panhandling and homeless camps.