Evacuation At Coral Ridge Mall Was Well Done

I have sometimes been critical of how the Coral Ridge Mall operates, but last night, they did an exceptional job. I watched from my kiosk as the police, sheriff's department, and Coral Ridge Mall security personnel, moved people from the food court area. It totally amazed me that there were people who were "stupid" enough to make rude comments to the officer's, but there were, and the officer's handled it with politeness, and a little humor. One young "senior" couple were walking by my place with their food as the officer explained to them why they were being evacuated, and the woman said~~~are you ready~~~~~"I can't believe they are making us leave when we just got our food!" No really, that is what she said....this after the officer explained that there was a potential for an EXPLOSION...but she was upset because they just got their food.
This is the type of people who are often out here during severe weather, and give the security staff grief all the time, as they try and "protect" them from themselves by politely asking them to move to the shelters, and usually the customers just ignore them and continue to wander near the food court, or up by the big glass windows. Truly, I am constantly amazed by some of the people, who seem to be actively pursuing a Darwin Award, but I guess I should thank them for trying to clear themselves from the gene pool :)

Anyway please read the rest of this story by Rob Daniels at the Iowa City Press Citizen link, and a Big Thank You, and a Job Well Done, to all of the law enforcement personnel, fire departments, haz mat teams, and coral ridge mall security for an excellent example of how to work efficiently, and effectively to safeguard the public, I was very impressed!!

A chemical leak from the mechanical room of the ice rink caused the evacuation of a portion of Coral Ridge Mall on Tuesday night.

Emergency officials were called to the mall just after 7 p.m. on the report of leaking R-22, a refrigerant used to freeze the ice at the Coral Ridge Ice Arena
.
Coralville Assistant Fire Chief Orey Schwitzer said the ice arena pro heard a noise come from the rink's mechanical room and called the maintenance company. A repair person from the company saw a large leak and called authorities as it spread from the rink.

link to rob daniels story