JONESBORO , AR -- As the countdown to the grand opening of the Mall at Turtle Creek continues, mall management has put in long hours to make sure Region 8 will have a premier shopping experience. 

"We want you to feel like you are in safe hands and that is our number one priority," said General Manager Jason Whitley. 

Shopping is a customer's first priority with a mall, but the Mall at Turtle Creek is making security it's top concern.

"Security will be here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year," said Whitley. 

The mall has hired a former police chief to head it's security staff of approximately 20 officers with at least two  officers always on duty. The mall will pair it's security staff with a state of the art security system.

"All of our electrical systems and HVAC systems will be controlled by a computer so you can sit at your desk at home or up here and pretty much run the mall," said Whitley.

The Mall at Turtle Creek has an extensive security system that includes over 60 closed circuit television cameras, so no matter where you are at in the mall even if you can't see a camera they can see you.

"The Mall at Turtle Creek is definitely going to be a computerized facility.  We will have over 60 cameras that will monitor every inch of the common areas that including parking lots, main corridors, service corridors and loading docks," said Whitley.

All of the mall cameras will always be on and recording in addition to individual store security systems.

"They are responsible for their own security and most of the tenants do have cameras in their spaces," said Whitley.

The Mall at Turtle Creek is taking a hard line when it comes to those looking to cause trouble.

"We are here to conduct our business with our tenants and customers. Those who have other alternatives need to find somewhere else to go," said Whitley.

To further ensure the safety of their customers, the Mall at Turtle Creek will have three automated external defibrillators on hand. Two AED's in the mall and one in the car of a security officer on patrol in the parking lots.