OVIEDO, Fla. – The Oviedo Mall on Wednesday said it is considering a chaperone policy for those under the age of 18 because a tenant faces tens of thousands of dollars in losses after two vehicle break-ins this week.
In a Facebook post, the Oviedo Mall said the break-ins happened Sunday and Tuesday nights. Details about the incidents, including which store the tenant operates, have not been released.
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The mall says the tenant face $30,000 in losses after Tuesday’s night’s damage.
A police investigation into the break-ins is underway.
“We are currently working with the Oviedo Police Department to bring those responsible to justice,” the post stated.
The Oviedo Mall said management is considering making a policy change because of the break-ins.
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“What was once a ‘maybe’ around implementing a chaperone policy for those under 18 has quickly become a ‘we have to.’” the post stated. “Before that happens, I’m making one final appeal to our community — especially to parents and the younger generation."
The mall did not say how a chaperone policy would deter vehicle break-ins outside the mall, but Josh Gunderson, Oviedo Mall executive director of marketing, said it’s been a tough week.
“Sit and watch another human being go through a deeply emotional experience of assessing $30,000 in damages -- that’s not a small number, especially in this day and age. That’s big, so it really hurts the heart,” he said.
The lengthy Facebook post included a personal message:
“I grew up hanging out at the mall. It was a space to connect with friends, grab a bite, see a movie, and just be. I want that experience to be available to today’s teens, too. I know it’s just a few bad apples, and I know that teens will be teens. But now, I’m on the other side—the one who sees the aftermath of the choices made here. The mess. The damage. The cost.
“And with that view comes responsibility. I’m responsible for protecting this place—not just the building, but the people and businesses within it, many of whom are your neighbors, local families, and community members who pour everything into what they do.
“I also know Oviedo Mall hasn’t always had the best reputation. But the jokes, the comments online, the offhand remarks—they matter. They’re heard, especially by teens, and they help shape how this space is treated. If we talk about it like it doesn’t matter, why would they think it does?
“So I’m asking—please—talk to your kids. Remind them to treat every space and every person they encounter with respect. Remind them that being part of a community means caring for the places we all share.
“Because if this trend continues, the next message I post will be the one no one wants to read: that no one under 18 will be allowed in the mall without an adult chaperone.
“We all want Oviedo Mall to be a place where memories are made—not where freedoms are lost. Let’s work together to keep it that way."
It’s not known who wrote the post or what position they hold within the mall.
