Fall/Winter 1984, Vol 9, No 2

Abstract: Prior to 1978, expenses incurred by shopping center owners for security force protection of customers were either minimal or lumped together with other miscellaneous operating expenses. Since 1978, a trend towards increased security force costs for shopping center and mall parking lots has been experienced. Within the last decade, courts in at least ten states have ruled on the question of store liability for customer harm in parking lots. The rulings indicate that customers have a right to be protected from attack by third parties, particularly where potential harm is foreseeable.