In 1997, Bensalem Township faced opposition from residents regarding the construction of a $11 million movie theater at the Neshaminy Mall. Residents expressed their concerns at a council meeting, fearing increased crime and traffic. Although the township's planning commission rejected the proposal, council members ultimately approved it. A public safety director assured there was no link between movies and crime. Supporters argued the theater was vital for the mall's survival, while dissenters worried about prioritizing commercial interests over community well-being. The theater's approval led to ongoing tension between residents and local governance.
Residents showed up to the council meeting dressed in black, carrying prop tombstones. One said, 'I feel that what the council has just done has sentenced us to a long, agonizing death.'
Dire predictions had been made at earlier hearings. 'I'm embarrassed to say I live in Bensalem,' one woman told the council. 'Do you know why? Because of what we've let it become.'
Township public safety director Francis Friel wasn't worried: 'There's no correlation between movies and crime.' Residents of Belmont Hills feared increased crime and traffic due to a proposed movie theater.
The zoning board chair agreed that neighbors' concerns were more important than the mall's survival. 'Within five to 10 years you may be looking at a ghost mall,' he said.
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