GUILDERLAND — Nearly six months after Crossgates Mall in Guilderland implemented a parental-escort policy, gang-related violence continues to take place at the popular teenage hangout, police say. A large fight erupted on Friday, Dec. 30, outside the Crossgates Mall bus stop, police say, after which a 16-year-old male was taken to Albany Medical Center to be treated for substantial facial lacerations.

Guilderland Police Chief James Murley believes the brawl was gang-related and says gang members wear identifying colors to mark a particular gang affiliation. Two knives, both of which were recovered by the Guilderland Police, were used during the fight, he said.

Kenneth Hicks, 24, of 30 Johnson Ave., Cohoes and a 14-year-old juvenile from Albany were both arrested by Guilderland Police. Hicks was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon. The 14-year-old juvenile was charged as an adult for first-degree assault on Tuesday and will appear in Guilderland Town Court on Thursday, according to Manny Shulman, an investigator with the Guilderland Police. Further charges may be pending.

The escort policy was put in place on July 15, 2005, to cut down on gang violence, loitering teens, and to create a safer environment for all of the mall’s customers, according to officials at the time. The policy requires those under 18 to be escorted by a parent after 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights unless they are at the movies or shopping at an anchor store that has an outside entrance. The Dec. 30 incident occurred on Friday at 9 p.m.
Murley said this past spring, after what he termed gang-related "riots" at Crossgates, that gang members have the right to be at the mall, like anybody else. The gang members have come from surrounding urban areas, he said. Police presence was increased at the mall and Murley said that gang members should know "Crossgates is not the arena for them to settle their differences. They should think again."