The rape, tragic though it was, is one incident. The big question is whether this was an isolated incident or if there are true risks of other crimes happening at that mall. If Eddie Bauer is pulling out of the mall due to the lack of security guards, then someone at Eddie Bauer believes the risk of violent crime is a reality at that location.

That speaks poorly for the mall and the area it is in.

Pointing fingers at the offender and the parents for this one incident will not prevent further incidents if the criminal element already is present. No one has the right to rob our homes, but we put locks on our doors just because we know of the possibility of someone robbing us.

If the mall has knowledge of the high risk of crimes happening to its patrons, it has a duty to provide protection for them if it continues to invite them onto its property.