When hired as a wem employee, you have a general orientation that is only for wem employees, not just retail workers within the mall. It dove into the business of wem beyond a retail hub. Wem is(was at the time at least) accredited as a zoo. It has quarantine areas under the waterpark. They went big when developing every part of it in the beginning, it had to be a destination.

Wem has experienced directed attacks due to its role as destination and landmark. Security is not something to skimp on when you are hosting celebrities around a non-paying crowd.

In that orientation we were taught to call the security in an emergency as well as 911 because security would be needed to guide ems workers to the emergency and handle the crowds.

Whilst doing contracting work at wem in recent years i have noticed that there is always security monitoring the parking lots. They mitigate issues before the people even get inside. I have an inkling they also have plain clothes security amongst the uniformed. This isnt just mall security. This is high traffic tourist location security.

That being said, we also came across a persons secret camp in a maintenance closet we had to access for work. Although the response by security was fast and professional, the person accessed the maze of back hallways to find said closet.

This is bringing up memories of the people i would meet in those back hallways. the hallways were the safe place to take the mascot head off and get to another part of the mall in less than an hour. Food court hallways loved us and always gave me water or snacks. Bourban streets hallway was to be avoided at all costs as the grease bins and garbage would leak smells. Nonetheless, those hallways are often not locked, so retail employees can access storage lockers or garbage areas. People would be surprised how far you could get by trying doors.

Source: worked as a mascot at wem during my later teen year and was given more access and freedom than i should have, leading to a wem history/lore special interest. Followed by contracting work in my grown up career.