“If someone is animated and is still overtly threatening others, we have an obligation to restore order,” Koval said Wednesday in answer to a news conference question about whether the officers should have tried to de-escalate the situation. “We can’t just in that case retreat and buy time or create distance. We have to go hands-on in order to bring someone like that back into control.”

Laird was released from the Dane County Jail on Thursday evening on the order of Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, the Sheriff’s Office said. It was not clear if any charges would be filed against her.

Ald. Paul Skidmore, who represents areas including West Towne Mall, said CBL has rejected installing security cameras in its malls “as a policy,” out of concern that the presence of cameras will cause the properties to be seen as unsafe.

“It’s really a deterrent,” Skidmore said. “If somebody comes in and they know there are cameras everywhere, it’s a pretty powerful deterrent (on bad behavior).”

Skidmore also cited improved safety accomplished by the extensive use of security cameras Downtown and at the Ho-Chunk casino in southeast Madison.

“I think that visibility leads to accountability and that if you’ve got cameras you’ve got an irrevocable record, if it’s done properly, of who’s been there and what they’re doing,” he said. “Mall cameras at entrances, exits and food courts — just places where people congregate. It is common sense.”

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