Westroads Mall (10000 California St)

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:38 am

In a mall that doesn't allow firearms.

About time to cross Westroads off places I go.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:56 am

I sure hope that Westroads is in a "can't fail" location. This is the exact path Crossroads went down. Gaining a reputation can really be a killer.

redwest8 · Post by **redwest8** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 1:07 am

4 days ago in this thread you were a racist Karen if you had any concerns about Westroads

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 1:18 am

It’s going to be hard for Westroads to shake the bad reputation it’s getting. People will just stay away and go somewhere else.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 1:42 am

This entire Westroads violence debacle makes the Oakview Mousetrap look pretty good right about now..

Especially, I’d think, for the stability of the Dillard’s Oakview Mall location at this time...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:50 am

Well, Westroads did make it through the 2007 mass shooting. The one earlier this year was officer involved of a thief. This one appears to be targeted. I don't think anyone should be afraid of being shot just for shopping. At least it won't change my shopping habits. If there's something I need, and Westroads has it, I won't think twice about going in.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:02 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:50 am Well, Westroads did make it through the 2007 mass shooting. The one earlier this year was officer involved of a thief. This one appears to be targeted. I don't think anyone should be afraid of being shot just for shopping. At least it won't change my shopping habits. If there's something I need, and Westroads has it, I won't think twice about going in.

Yes..However for many, once a reputation is established., it can (and has been) a death nail for a mall..

Read the media reports of this latest Westroads incident- there was a melee at the mall once the shots were fired, and throngs of people from the mall area, through the food court “panic ran” out of the mall..Word travels fast and bad reputations usually follow..

These type of incidents may not effect you or I, but will have an affect on future shopping decisions others will make..

The Westroads needs to get a handle on this immediately.. Or there WILL be certain future negative development issues to follow...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:11 am

I don't refute anything you are saying. People who run when they hear gunshots are smart. Last year when the riots were happening in the 72nd & Dodge area, I was just working, and I saw some |expletive| I didn't like and I got out of there. Self preservation. Yes, I get what you are saying, many people will absolutely not be able to get through these things and it will just not be worth the "risk" to them.

But yes, these fokkers need to get themselves under control. I think I've said it before, if you have beef, settle it on the streets, not somebody else's property.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:16 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:02 am The Westroads needs to get a handle on this immediately.. Or there WILL be certain future negative development issues to follow...

I wonder what they are supposed to do though...

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:02 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:16 am
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:02 am The Westroads needs to get a handle on this immediately.. Or there WILL be certain future negative development issues to follow...
I wonder what they are supposed to do though...

TSA type scanning at all entrances is one way. But that's not even a plausible option.

ita · Post by **ita** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:54 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:16 am
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:02 am The Westroads needs to get a handle on this immediately.. Or there WILL be certain future negative development issues to follow...
I wonder what they are supposed to do though...

More security/police presence. I went to a high school with violence (non-firearm) issues for a few years. We had cops hanging around after school by the campus all the time. Eventually, they stopped sending units, but it was the norm for a while. Maybe it helped deter fights and attacks; I arrived after they had a few really bad years, but still saw/heard about stuff happening, during or after school.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:03 pm

Seems to me like the same person who's worried about getting caught in the crossfire of gang violence would also be turned off by the sight of a copper toting an M4 walking the aisles of the mall. Personally, I'd love to see it and nip this problem in the bud. But at the same time, I feel like more of a police presence is also a turn-off for some people.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:20 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:50 am Well, Westroads did make it through the 2007 mass shooting. The one earlier this year was officer involved of a thief. This one appears to be targeted. I don't think anyone should be afraid of being shot just for shopping. At least it won't change my shopping habits. If there's something I need, and Westroads has it, I won't think twice about going in.

Right. Staying away isn't going to help the mall survive. Yes, of course a pattern of violence should give anyone pause before deciding to spend time in such an area. However, what's everyone going to do when the next shooting is at Village Pointe or Oakview? Are you then to renounce all public shopping and hope that your Amazon package isn't defiled with urine and fecal matter? Gun violence isn't restricted to one mall, race, or city(urban or suburban). There's a false sense of security thinking one is safe in particular area because it's not historically associated with savage mayhem. Gun violence is an American issue that can happen anywhere and it's sadly not going away any time soon.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:01 pm

nebport5 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:20 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:50 am Well, Westroads did make it through the 2007 mass shooting. The one earlier this year was officer involved of a thief. This one appears to be targeted. I don't think anyone should be afraid of being shot just for shopping. At least it won't change my shopping habits. If there's something I need, and Westroads has it, I won't think twice about going in.

Right. Staying away isn't going to help the mall survive. Yes, of course a pattern of violence should give anyone pause before deciding to spend time in such an area. However, what's everyone going to do when the next shooting is at Village Pointe or Oakview? Are you then to renounce all public shopping and hope that your Amazon package isn't defiled with urine and fecal matter? Gun violence isn't restricted to one mall, race, or city(urban or suburban). There's a false sense of security thinking one is safe in particular area because it's not historically associated with savage mayhem. Gun violence is an American issue that can happen anywhere and it's sadly not going away any time soon.

The problem is, shootings have not occurred at Oakview or Village Pointe in either of their histories that I can remember. I’m certainly not saying it couldn’t happen- this craziness can happen anywhere.. But it has not at these places at this time.. People develop a “herd mentality” (if you will) regarding repeated violence at points of destination..and once a reputation has been “earned”, it can (and has) marked the beginning of a downfall for a mall (look no further than Crossroads)..

I don’t have all the answers..But what I do know, is this is now the 2nd act of gun violence at Westroads within the past 5 weeks..if a 3rd or 4th occur before the end of the year- there will be real trouble at Westroads and the reputation will become more solidly embedded..and I don’t that that’s an overreaction...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:03 pm

I don't disagree.

But as is, I think it's fine. But as you said, if another one happens before people forget about these last two, that could definitely spell trouble. Hope it doesn't happen. I'm also not of the thought that because these two happened, that means there are more to come.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:56 pm

I don't disagree with Cowboy either, but the "herd mentality" is unfortunate.

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:41 pm

ita wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:54 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:16 am
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:02 am The Westroads needs to get a handle on this immediately.. Or there WILL be certain future negative development issues to follow...
I wonder what they are supposed to do though...
More security/police presence. I went to a high school with violence (non-firearm) issues for a few years. We had cops hanging around after school by the campus all the time. Eventually, they stopped sending units, but it was the norm for a while. Maybe it helped deter fights and attacks; I arrived after they had a few really bad years, but still saw/heard about stuff happening, during or after school.

This^^

The Westroads, as far as retail is concerned, is effectively 'downtown Omaha'. I would never claim to be an expert on policing, but just from my own armchair B.S. perspective, it would seem to make sense just to have a visible police presence in high crime areas (or maybe they already do and I just don't know about it), or wherever large groups of people congregate. I've never understood why they'll wait until there's a problem and then flood the area with 25 cop cars and a swat unit after the fact----seems like the objective would be to prevent crime. We used to call this type of policing "the beat" (foot patrol). Just put a few friggin' cops on the beat; hang out at the food court or something. My local mall (Tyson's Corner Center, the busiest mall per sq. ft. on the East coast) has a police precinct right in the mall. They know the potential for bad behavior is there, and they do a very good job of discouraging it.

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:03 pm

ricko wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:41 pm
This^^

The Westroads, as far as retail is concerned, is effectively 'downtown Omaha'. I would never claim to be an expert on policing, but just from my own armchair B.S. perspective, it would seem to make sense just to have a visible police presence in high crime areas (or maybe they already do and I just don't know about it), or wherever large groups of people congregate. I've never understood why they'll wait until there's a problem and then flood the area with 25 cop cars and a swat unit after the fact----seems like the objective would be to prevent crime. We used to call this type of policing "the beat" (foot patrol). Just put a few friggin' cops on the beat; hang out at the food court or something. My local mall (Tyson's Corner Center, the busiest mall per sq. ft. on the East coast) has a police precinct right in the mall. They know the potential for bad behavior is there, and they do a very good job of discouraging it.

It's private property - Westroads would have to agree to have a constant police presence.

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:31 pm

Do you honestly think they would turn it down? Why would you not want your customers to feel safer in a public space, especially if the alternative is a dead mall?

GoWest · Post by **GoWest** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:33 pm

There was a time when OPD had a bay in Crossroads mall. It's a bad sign when you need one. If Westroads needs one I think it will be the beginning of the end for them. At the very least the start of a tough stretch.

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:45 pm

ricko wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:31 pm Do you honestly think they would turn it down? Why would you not want your customers to feel safer in a public space, especially if the alternative is a dead mall?

GoWest explains the reasoning. You're caught between a rock and a hard place. Having a heavy police presence makes customers go "uh...."

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:49 pm

Oh please, I've already stated in my first post that my local mall has a police precinct, and it hasn't discouraged anyone from shopping there; it's crazy-busy every day, cops notwithstanding. Crossroads was a dying mall before the uptick in crime there. On-line shopping and an over supply of brick and mortar shopping options (the newer malls and Village Point), helped in its demise. The crime was just the final nail in the coffin.

debradomayer · Post by **debradomayer** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:18 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:03 pm Seems to me like the same person who's worried about getting caught in the crossfire of gang violence would also be turned off by the sight of a copper toting an M4 walking the aisles of the mall. Personally, I'd love to see it and nip this problem in the bud. But at the same time, I feel like more of a police presence is also a turn-off for some people.

Westroads has had off duty Omaha Police on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sundays for years. The problem is the mall has never cracked down on the troublemakers and then something like the last two incidents happen. I don't know the solution, but I watched the mall go down hill for 15+ years, witnessed many drug deals. In the two years since the store closed where I worked, I've been in the mall twice.

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:45 pm

You're never going to eliminate all crime everywhere, but I think a uniformed presence would keep it down to a minimum, especially if their presence is in the areas where it is more likely to happen. When I first move to DC, I unwittingly rented an apartment that was 3 blocks from the major heroin market in the city (I know, dumb move---but I was unaware and now I know why the rent was so cheap). Whenever I would drive by the drug market, there wasn't a cop car in sight, until some of the neighbors (me included), got together and forced the issue with our City Councilman. I know the police knew about the problem, but for some reason they just weren't around (payoffs maybe?----dunno). Anyway, it took the local precinct the better part of a year to get off their aszes and do something. This is the same neighborhood where I was stopped (for the better part of an hour) for having (oh, the horror) expired Nebraska plates! I felt like asking the cop if he didn't have better things to do with his time.

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:24 am

This does not help Westroads. In an age you can sit on the couch in your pajamas and slippers and shop Amazon. Why would some go in pajamas and slippers and shop Westroads.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:26 am

Downtown is bad. Let's all go shop at the Crossroads.

Crossroads is bad. Let's all go shop at the Westroads.

Westroads is bad. Let's all go shop at Oakview.

Oakview is bad. Let's all go shop at Village Pointe.

Vialleg Pointe is bad. Let's all go shop at Gretna.

Gretna is bad.

No seriously... Gretna |expletive| sucks.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:12 pm

debradomayer wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:18 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:03 pm Seems to me like the same person who's worried about getting caught in the crossfire of gang violence would also be turned off by the sight of a copper toting an M4 walking the aisles of the mall. Personally, I'd love to see it and nip this problem in the bud. But at the same time, I feel like more of a police presence is also a turn-off for some people.
Westroads has had off duty Omaha Police on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sundays for years. The problem is the mall has never cracked down on the troublemakers and then something like the last two incidents happen. I don't know the solution, but I watched the mall go down hill for 15+ years, witnessed many drug deals. In the two years since the store closed where I worked, I've been in the mall twice.

Honestly I don't think that would really fix the problem. Crossroads did exactly what you are talking about and it seemed to get even worse. Heck if you remember, they actually put a police station in Crossroads.

Greg

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:35 pm

These stories certainly don't help our national image:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/17/us/omaha ... index.html

I wouldn't be fearful of going to Westroads at this time - it certainly seems like a targeted, isolated incident.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:50 pm

Big E wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:26 am Downtown is bad. Let's all go shop at the Crossroads.

Crossroads is bad. Let's all go shop at the Westroads.

Westroads is bad. Let's all go shop at Oakview.

Oakview is bad. Let's all go shop at Village Pointe.

Vialleg Pointe is bad. Let's all go shop at Gretna.

The “Herd Mentality” in full effect

...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 6:25 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:50 pm
Big E wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:26 am Downtown is bad. Let's all go shop at the Crossroads.

Crossroads is bad. Let's all go shop at the Westroads.

Westroads is bad. Let's all go shop at Oakview.

Oakview is bad. Let's all go shop at Village Pointe.

Vialleg Pointe is bad. Let's all go shop at Gretna.
The “Herd Mentality” in full effect ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Wypipo gonna wypipo.

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:23 pm

S.O.Boy wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:24 am This does not help Westroads. In an age you can sit on the couch in your pajamas and slippers and shop Amazon. Why would some go in pajamas and slippers and shop Westroads.

To watch other people shop at Westroads in their PJ's and slippers...

Honestly, we haven't been there in a long while. We do not shop at department stores, and primarily shop online, so we are part of the problem. If we feel the need to shop for 'brands', we usually end up at the outlets.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Tue Apr 20, 2021 12:05 am

ita wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:23 pm
S.O.Boy wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:24 am In an age you can sit on the couch in your pajamas and slippers and shop Amazon. Why would some go in pajamas and slippers and shop Westroads.
To watch other people shop at Westroads in their PJ's and slippers...

I believe Walmart has unwittingly corned that horror/entertainment market(and beyond). People of Walmart Maybe they should be the new anchor for Oakview.

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:10 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:56 am I sure hope that Westroads is in a "can't fail" location. This is the exact path Crossroads went down. Gaining a reputation can really be a killer.

Agreed. Crossroads failed, in part, because the number of people there to just hang out with their friends far exceeded the number of people there to spend money. Large groups of teens just wondering the mall all day. It didn't help that several of them, while generally well behaved, like to mean mug everybody else. Sooner or later people start thinking of the mall as being full of thugs (or, at least, wannabe thugs) and stop going.

Didn't Westroads have a pretty bad reputation back in the 1980s before the remodel? I suppose if you change the look/feel of the place enough you can reset the reputation in the process. Though, you can't respond to every incident with a million dollar remodel.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:17 pm

ChadJK wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:10 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:56 am I sure hope that Westroads is in a "can't fail" location. This is the exact path Crossroads went down. Gaining a reputation can really be a killer.
Agreed. Crossroads failed, in part, because the number of people there to just hang out with their friends far exceeded the number of people there to spend money. Large groups of teens just wondering the mall all day. It didn't help that several of them, while generally well behaved, like to mean mug everybody else. Sooner or later people start thinking of the mall as being full of thugs (or, at least, wannabe thugs) and stop going.

Didn't Westroads have a pretty bad reputation back in the 1980s before the remodel? I suppose if you change the look/feel of the place enough you can reset the reputation in the process. Though, you can't respond to every incident with a million dollar remodel.

Westroads did, pretty briefly in the 80's. It seemed to mainly be Saturday nights. I worked at Brandeis out there then.

Greg

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:06 pm

ChadJK wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:10 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:56 am I sure hope that Westroads is in a "can't fail" location. This is the exact path Crossroads went down. Gaining a reputation can really be a killer.
Agreed. Crossroads failed, in part, because the number of people there to just hang out with their friends far exceeded the number of people there to spend money. Large groups of teens just wondering the mall all day. It didn't help that several of them, while generally well behaved, like to mean mug everybody else. Sooner or later people start thinking of the mall as being full of thugs (or, at least, wannabe thugs) and stop going.

Didn't Westroads have a pretty bad reputation back in the 1980s before the remodel? I suppose if you change the look/feel of the place enough you can reset the reputation in the process. Though, you can't respond to every incident with a million dollar remodel.

Some of these teens would walk together in a linebacker formation too. Rather intimidating to some.

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:05 pm

Greg S wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:17 pm
ChadJK wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:10 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:56 am I sure hope that Westroads is in a "can't fail" location. This is the exact path Crossroads went down. Gaining a reputation can really be a killer.
Agreed. Crossroads failed, in part, because the number of people there to just hang out with their friends far exceeded the number of people there to spend money. Large groups of teens just wondering the mall all day. It didn't help that several of them, while generally well behaved, like to mean mug everybody else. Sooner or later people start thinking of the mall as being full of thugs (or, at least, wannabe thugs) and stop going.

Didn't Westroads have a pretty bad reputation back in the 1980s before the remodel? I suppose if you change the look/feel of the place enough you can reset the reputation in the process. Though, you can't respond to every incident with a million dollar remodel.
Westroads did, pretty briefly in the 80's. It seemed to mainly be Saturday nights. I worked at Brandeis out there then.

Greg

Were you there and do you remember the murder that happened in 1989?

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Apr 23, 2021 6:50 pm

omaha79 wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:05 pm
Greg S wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:17 pm
ChadJK wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:10 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:56 am I sure hope that Westroads is in a "can't fail" location. This is the exact path Crossroads went down. Gaining a reputation can really be a killer.
Agreed. Crossroads failed, in part, because the number of people there to just hang out with their friends far exceeded the number of people there to spend money. Large groups of teens just wondering the mall all day. It didn't help that several of them, while generally well behaved, like to mean mug everybody else. Sooner or later people start thinking of the mall as being full of thugs (or, at least, wannabe thugs) and stop going.

Didn't Westroads have a pretty bad reputation back in the 1980s before the remodel? I suppose if you change the look/feel of the place enough you can reset the reputation in the process. Though, you can't respond to every incident with a million dollar remodel.
Westroads did, pretty briefly in the 80's. It seemed to mainly be Saturday nights. I worked at Brandeis out there then.

Greg
Were you there and do you remember the murder that happened in 1989?

I don't remember that. In 1989 I was only working there during the summer and on thankgiving and xmas break,

Greg

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu May 06, 2021 9:26 pm

Noticed a trailer with a banner saying "mixed use development" where the car dealerships used to be. Anyone have updates on Ricketts Sr.'s plan for the spot?

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon May 10, 2021 12:54 pm

ita wrote: Thu May 06, 2021 9:26 pm Noticed a trailer with a banner saying "mixed use development" where the car dealerships used to be. Anyone have updates on Ricketts Sr.'s plan for the spot?

I'd be certain it's to make more millions...

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Thu May 13, 2021 2:42 am

Cloisters Midtown, first tenant is a MyPillow factory outlet store.