BOARDMAN Citing a history of unruly behavior, the Target store in Boardman Township is enacting a new policy that will require all customers under the age of 18 to be accompanied by an adult after 8 p.m.

The change, effective on Thursday, was confirmed by the store manager to 21 News and comes after months of reported issues with juveniles, including recent incidents involving disruptive behavior and trespassing.

According to a Boardman Police Department report, on Monday, officers were called to the Target on Boardman-Poland Road for a "juvenile problem." The store manager told police that two teenage boys were "running around, yelling profanities, and causing a disturbance." The report says the juveniles fled as officers arrived, but were later identified and given a criminal trespass warning, banning them from the store.

The incident is the latest in a series of disturbances at the store. In June, police responded to a report of two male juveniles riding scooters recklessly inside the business and nearly hitting customers. One of the teens reportedly screamed "rape" as he was leaving the store after being asked to leave by an employee.

Before that, in April, two males were arrested for trespassing at the store after being recognized from previous warnings. In March, police responded to several other reports of juveniles loitering and causing disturbances, including spraying silly string inside the store. 

"We've had a problem, this is addressing the problem," said Boardman Township Trustee Tom Costello. "The problem was youths going in and doing things they shouldn't have been doing so I credit Target for taking a proactive stance," he said.

"I personally have a child and I wouldn't want my child running around by themselves in a department store or any store really, without me being there so in reality, I think if a parent's there and you've got your child there, we're hoping that the moms and dads and their parents can keep their kids in check," Jason Loree, Boardman Township Administrator said.

One shopper calls the move a wise one for the store.

"I think that might help prevent things especially if it comes to the Target here or any of the stores that have merchandise up close to the front where it makes an easy spot for somebody to just pick up and go," Roger Kalisiak said.

Boardman Police Chief Todd Werth said the department will continue to work with and look after Target - focusing on the safety of those involved.