Night patrols are being added at the Santa Maria Town Center Mall in an effort to enhance security in the area.
The City of Santa Maria says the focus is on the two parking structures and keeping people and vehicles from gathering there when they are closed at night.
The City says the added patrols are in response to a shooting earlier this month that killed a 17-year-old boy. Officials say they also have issues with people driving up to the top of the structures and treating it like a party and hangout area.
Signs have been posted in the structures to alert people to the new measures.