In the locations described in this article.
Two shootings raise questions: Are shopping malls safe?
Despite two recent shootings at Seattle-area shopping malls, police and security experts say malls are no less safe than other places where people congregate in large numbers.
….
Officials with several police departments said Thursday they have not encountered increased crime or an uptick in gang activity in area malls, including Southcenter, Northgate, Alderwood and Bellevue Square. But Wednesday’s shooting, coming less than three weeks after a 15-year-old boy was shot in the leg in a parking lot at Northgate on Feb. 22, has left some shoppers and employees concerned about mall security.
If you’re guess is that all of the locations mentioned have a food court, you’re right, but you’re missing the point.
Here is the second paragraph of the article. Maybe this will help.
“It’s a big public place where people gather,” Tukwila police spokesman Mike Murphy said of Westfield Shoppingtown Southcenter mall, scene of Wednesday night’s shooting. “For the same reason that shoppers like to gather there, bad guys like to gather there: It’s convenient.”
Yes, it is convenient. But that is only part of the reason “bad guys” go there.
They’re also all Gun Free Zones.
Which means that the answer to the question that was the title to the article is: NO, they are not safe. You are not allowed to defend yourself at these places and the bad guys have figured this out. Mall Ninjas will not take a bullet for you, even if they have the opportunity.
Which is yet another reason why I won’t go.