Westfield Corp., owner of Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, stated, "there is no evidence of an imminent threat" to its shopping centers but that it continues to work with local law enforcement to ensure shoppers' safety.

Paramus Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg also confirmed in a statement that there were no specific credible threats to the three major malls in Paramus—the Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus Park and Bergen Town Center.

"The Paramus Police Department, Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Bergen County Sheriff's Department and, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness have taken many steps, some visible, some not, to provide a safe and secure environment for our mall customers," Ehrenberg says.

The International Council of Shopping Centers released a statement in response to the concerns over shopping center and mall security. The trade organization stated, “The shopping center industry takes seriously its responsibility to provide a safe and comfortable environment in which to shop. Since 9/11, the shopping center industry has worked diligently with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials on training and preparedness. While some security measures deployed at shopping centers such as the use of bollards, uniformed patrols by law enforcement officers, and surveillance camera systems will be evident to consumers, many more protective measures will not.”

The council continued, “Individual centers continually update and refine their security plans in concert with their law enforcement partners as part of their ongoing effort to be vigilant. The shopping center industry will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to ensure that shopping centers are safe and comfortable environments in which to shop. Consumers can be assured that their safety and the safety of shopping center employees are the industry's number one priority.” See story in The Record.