TEMPE, AZ -- Nestled between an eye glass store and a suit shop at Arizona Mills Mall is a unique office most shoppers probably never notice.
Complete with two holding cells, police department computers and three or four Tempe officers working around the clock, is the Arizona Mills Tempe Police Substation.
"It's great, we have everything we need here. This is a great advantage for our police department, the mall and especially the shoppers," said Tempe Sergeant Steve Carbajal.
Tempe officers assigned to the mall substation have radios linking them to Tempe police dispatch and to mall security.
"Having the two separate radios allow us to respond quicker if there is a situation. I can hear mall security and get right to them if they need us without the mall security having to call Tempe police dispatch," said Tempe Police Officer Wes Parrell, who is in charge of the mall substation.
The Tempe officers consistently work with the 20 to 30 Arizona Mills Mall security officers and share information.
"I like seeing the uniformed officers. I think it's a great idea and having visible security officers and police officers I think is great," said Arizona Mills shopper Deb Schreck.
In the event of an arrest, the substation also allows officers to do their job faster.
"We can arrest someone, do the necessary paperwork and have them in the holding cell and have another unit come, pick them up and quickly return to the mall," said Parrell.
According to Arizona Mills officials, there has been a significant reduction in the amount of crime with the substation and presence of the officers.
"I think people feel more safe and secure, and relax and shop," said Schreck.
While the mall has dozens of visible and hidden security cameras, and dozens of officers that can be seen walking and driving around the facility, there's another security move that shoppers may never notice.
The Tempe Police Department is also using undercover officers during the busy shopping day.
"We're also having people that are standing off to the side and making sure that if there is something going on that we're aware of it before we even get the call," said Parrell.
