The mall is close to the freeways, which makes it easy to rob and then get on the freeway...Everyone needs to be careful even during the day, always be aware of your surroundings! Pleasanton is not exempt from bad things happening, as we have ALL witnessed in the past month....

I agree, Chris. We don't live in a perfect world and just because we live in a nice area, doesn't neccessarily mean it's always safe. Always have your keys in your hands before you start the truck back to your car and BE AWARE.

I agree that we all need to be aware and very careful, especially at this time of the year. Although I'm unclear on why anyone would start their truck to get to back to their car... ? Maybe a typo, though - trek?

On a point related to mall safety, I called the mall today to report that all of the outside lights were off and the parking lot on the north side of the mall was completely dark and scary at 5:30 last evening. They said they'd look into it, so if anyone notices something like that, please help everyone and let them know.

I wonder how much of an impact the new BART station will make on the crimes occuring in the parking lot of this mall. It's worked wonders for the Bayfair Mall! :)

Perhaps the Santa Rita Jail inmates can just stop off at the new BART station (Stoneridge Mall) on the free BART pass that the jail provides them upon release.

I say a good offense makes a good defense. Guard towers at all corners of the Stoneridge Mall! Just kidding of course... However, it will take extreme measures in order to protect the locals. Hey... how about starting with some better parking lot lighting and more security?

Security INSIDE the Stoneridge Mall is like a maximum security prison. I'm surprised they don't lock down the stores periodically and do a head count of customers (I'm customer #49948, by the way...)

Security OUTSIDE the Stoneridge Mall is...wait, what security? I was there earlier this week and there were all sorts of shady-looking characters crusing through the mall parking lot, including a few "gangster" types who were driving the wrong way through parking lanes, their sound systems cranked up and chatting away happily on their cell phones. I said to one young man, "Hey, you're going the wrong way!" and he looked as if he and his friends were going to jump out of their car and kill me (I'm 6'2" and 210 lbs, though, so they appeared to have second thoughts on the issue). I said it in what I thought was a friendly enough manner, but the crowd hanging around the Stoneridge now are the sort who'd kill you if they heard change jingling in your pocket.

And this was what was happening in broad daylight. I can only imagine the scene in that chaotic parking lot after dark. And yes, the new BART station that stops at Stoneridge will indeed be a Thiefs' Express. One of the two Safeways in Dublin (the one closest to the Santa Rita jail) is already a bit of a scary place during daylight hours, due to the associates of inmates hanging about. I predict we're due for a big crime wave in Dublin-Pleasanton once the new BART station is open for business. As a previous commentator mentioned, just ask the good folks at the Bayfair Mall about that.

The solution, of course, will be for Stoneridge Mall to hire more "private security" guards to patrol the parking lot (who will be largely useless--minimum wage just doesn't motivate people today as it once did) and to prevail upon the Pleasanton police to make an appearance now and again to discourage the criminal element.

This incident is one reason why I do most of my shopping online. That way, the only ones to pick my pocket are the credit card companies.

The thought of a new BART being so close to the mall makes me sick. If it weren't bad enough at the Regal Movie Theatre complex...who made this decision?

I remember acouple of years ago I witnessed 'out of towners' at Old Navy blatently stealing clothes...I was surprised they were doing it right in front of me. When I told an employee, they told me there was nothing they could do because they didnt see it. It's just that easy.

I hope they increase security outside of the mall. I can only imagine what the woman felt while she was being robbed. I know we tend to live in a bubble but I would hope that when my kids go to Stoneridge, as I did when I was a kid, it will be safe. I would hate for it to become BayFair II. YUCK!

The mall security includes people walking around in street clothes. I personally have seen a lot more security cars driving around at all different times during the weekends.

Also, we unfortunately choose to live in a place that is close to a jail. Just BE AWARE.

Be "street smart" when leaving the stores enroute to your vehicle. Be aware of what's going on around and beyond you. If you suspect all is not well, go back in the mall and ask the nearest sales person to notify security you have a concern and are requesting to be escorted to your vehicle. Also, especially after dark, lock your doors as soon as you enter your vehicle and get out of the parking lot ASAP. It's a shame it's come to this but we live in a crazy world today........

I used to work security there. When I started it was an awesome place to work, a place where if you were on the law enforcement career path, you almost would get recruited from there. However, thanks to the director (Portion removed by PW staff) it has gone down in respect. When I started there, we would have quarterly trainings involving things like what to do if there was a take over armed robbery at Baron's Jewelers. By the time I left, the quarterly trainings were watered down to how to escort the fire department in for medical emergencies. I encourage EVERY shopper to contact mall management regarding security. Again when I started, security carried batons. Batons were our "firearm" if you will, they were only used when we felt our life was threatend. They were never used on a person, only on cars about 3 times that attempted to run us over, mostly on grab and run thefts. Then, the director decided that we shouldn't have them anymore. So because of this, we started walking around in pairs, mostly for our protection, providing less coverage for the mall. I attribute most of the rise in crime (yes, there's been a rise) at the mall to the lack of leadership in the security department. I am almost ashamed now to say i worked there, this mall used to be the premier place to work, now it is on the same level as bayfair and newpark. A shame.

D, I appreciate your taking the time to explain this to us. I did remember a time when the security guards seemed to be more prominent and carried more demeanor (probably due to being used as they should be...trained to protect). With your description it would appear the guards are more for deterence by "show" than anything more.

I will most certainly put my call in to the mall management and press for stronger security. They, in fact, should hold some accountability if they are purporting to offer 'security'.

Thanks for your input!

I see the mall cops at Stoneridge are using Segways now!