Shoppers at the Roosevelt Field Mall are on edge following a disturbing incident involving an 11-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted on the premises. The attack, which follows several high-profile crimes at the mall in recent years, is renewing public concern about shopper safety at one of Long Island’s busiest retail centers.

The Garden City mall has previously been the scene of other troubling events. In December, a large fight broke out inside the complex, and earlier, a Lamborghini was stolen from a parking garage. In 2023, Macy’s fell victim to a smash-and-grab robbery.

Despite the headlines, law enforcement officials insist Roosevelt Field remains safe.

“I can tell you the Roosevelt Field Mall is probably the safest mall in the country,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “Major crime at the mall is down 25%, and all other crime — including shoplifting — is down 33%.”

Ryder said there are currently 12 officers and two sergeants dedicated to patrolling the mall. With summer approaching, the department is considering redeploying officers who usually work in schools to increase police presence.

“Instead of doing a school lecture, they will go to the mall and spend more time in the mall,” Ryder explained.

News 12 visited the mall to see the security presence. One security officer was seen patrolling inside and several luxury retailers employed their own private guards. Outside, multiple marked police cars were seen around the mall.

A spokesperson for Roosevelt Field Mall thanked the Nassau County Police Department for apprehending the suspect in the sexual assault case. However, mall officials declined to specify how many security officers are typically on duty at any given time.