You make interesting points about Lime Ridge realcity (Limeridge the road is a single word, Lime Ridge the mall is two words). I think if you look back at it, the crack-down there probably coincided with the unfortunate death of a youth there some years ago. The malls have a legitimate fear of crime on their premises and the negative publicity which surrounds it. Malls--regardless of their size and success can go into a very quick and precipitous decline--we have one major centre locally--and I avoid the place at all costs on Friday nights (I try to avoid the place period)--but having to wade through crowds of tweens and teens that have no adult supervision, having to worry about my wife getting pushed/shoved--it's not worth it--the last Friday we "had" to go there for something I just parked outside The Bay--she went in, got what she needed and we left--never set foot in the mall itself.
So whether you agree with the tactic or not--it exists for a reason. Malls, alas, are private property and are retail spaces--not public spaces. For some insight into what can happen to a major mall in a short period of time, follow this link to read about the largest mall to fail in U.S. history--and how just the "impression" that it was a dangerous place quickly killed it...interesting bares a nearly identical design, size, and vintage as Lime Ridge.
www.mallofmemphis.org