A shuttered mall in Orange County is almost unrecognizable after it’s been vandalized numerous times since its closure.
The Westminster Mall, which was once bustling with shops and eateries, is now the site of graffiti, as seen in newly shared videos. One man, who asked only to be identified as “Same1,” was at the empty plaza overnight Wednesday when he said he saw about 60 people inside.
“I thought it was ridiculous,” the man said. “Mostly young people just breaking things.”
According to Same1, those who were at the mall were spray painting walls and shattering windows. He said he did not see any security or police on the grounds.
“No security, nothing. No security guard,” he said.
The mall closed down at the end of October after several decades in business. According to Westminster, there is no set timeline as to when it will be developed into a mixed-use retail and residential space.
Alexis Malatesta, who said she grew up going to the mall, launched a social media page to share her nostalgia. She said it was difficult to see the slow demise of the space she once loved and worries about what could happen if the vandalism and other activities continue.
“It’s very scary because it’s only a matter of time before something dangerous is happening inside the structure,” Malatesta said. “They’re not doing enough to keep people out and protect it.”
Westminster police said it responded to the property approximately 250 times and arrested more than 20 people for trespassing and vandalism in the past few months. The department said it’s working with the four owners of the property to increase security.
NBC4 has reached out to those owners for comment.
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