Stores Upset After Concert At Westfield Shopping Town

PALM DESERT – Julie Hendrix says she had to protect her 2 nieces from hundreds of fans who invaded Westfield Shopping Town to see the rap group “New Boyz.”

“Everybody came running and pushing and jumping,” says Hendrix.

U-92, who helped organize the event, says security was lacking for the event. Organizers originally expecting a crowd of 400, instead an estimated 2,000 people showed up for the concert and signing. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies, called in twice to help mall security with fights in the crowd, including one man hit by a chair. Deputies found no victims.But Hendrix says one fight came too close to her nieces.

“Some girls started fighting and everyone was with their cell phones and so I was like no, let’s go, just to be safe,” says Hendrix.

Stores at Westfield are also upset. They wouldn’t talk on camera but told News Channel 3 the concert was a bad idea. Some near the event had to close for short time because of the large crowds. Some shoppers hid from the crowd inside the closed stores. Retailers feared for their their merchandise, customers and employees.

“For the vendor it might be a little too much because you never know who’s gonna walk in there and take something.”

It’s not the first concert at the mall, but so far the largest. A representative with Westfield Shopping Town issued a statement: “We had a successful event and very happy to partner with U-92 and the New Boyz.” That’s not what Hendrix would call it.

“They could have done it outside. It’s not that hot right now they could have a table and more guards. I don’t know, something more secure,” says Hendrix.

No word if Westfield Shopping Town will hold more concerts in the future.