An e-mail message thought to have been generated in the Park Cities, and recently circulated throughout the Lake Highlands community, has prompted an official response from the Dallas Police Department.

The message in question began showing up in inboxes early this week.

The subject referenced "NorthPark Mall Gang Activity."

In addition to detailing a reported conversation with police officers at the mall, the e-mail spoke of issues surrounding "gangs moving around the mall in groups of 8-10."

This reported activity made the author of the email uncomfortable in areas like the food court and the AMC Theater.

Shoplifting activity was also referenced, along with the safety of teenage shoppers.

Late last night, Senior Corporal Phil Gordon, from the Northeast Division of the Dallas Police Department, released a statement addressing the e-mail specifically.

It read in part, "There have been multiple inquiries in the last 24 hours from the media regarding safety at North Park Mall."

"These inquiries were apparently spurred by an e-mail from a mall patron who noted an increase in young people at the mall and increased police presence, as well as from an informal conversation about the situation with off-duty officers there."

Please know the following:

• NorthPark officials report an increase in the number of young people at the mall, particularly around the movie theaters. The report we have from patrol and gang unit officers is that there is no discernible organized gang presence there.

• Reported crime at the mall is actually down since the first of the year as compared to the same time last year. There have been 14 reported Part 1 crimes (not counting shoplift cases) compared to 21 last year. And the overwhelming majority of the offenses both years involve thefts of or from vehicles in the parking lot.

• There have been two robberies and one aggravated assault reported in the mall so far this year. While those certainly are a concern, they closely parallel the number and kinds of crime seen in previous years and by no means suggest an up-tick in offenses at the mall.

• It is always a best practice to be vigilant of your surroundings whether it is walking in your neighborhood or shopping at your favorite locations. NorthPark security and the Dallas Police Department will continue to work to keep the mall a secure and vibrant shopping area where the public can go with confidence of being safe.

NorthPark Center Management also released an official statement yesterday, addressing the situation.

"Many of you may have received a viral e-mail in the last several days claiming that NorthPark Center is not a safe place for kids and families," said Vail Tolber, PR Manager for the mall.

"This e-mail content is untrue and holds no validity in respect to happenings or management decisions at NorthPark."

"NorthPark remains one of the safest shopping centers in Texas. Patrons can feel confident that we take the safety and well being of our guests very seriously."