Is Memorial City Mall dangerous? Or are my parents just insane.

I'm back in town for winter break from college and I went to the mall the other day as one does. After I got back, I didn't really think anything of it when my my mom gave me a weird look when I told her where I was. A few days later, we needed to go to target and I asked why were going to one 20 minutes away instead of the mall, which is right there. She said the mall is dangerous and not really a place she wanted to be. I was incredulous because we've lived here for 10+ years and she's never said anything like that, plus the mall is by where my dad works and right next to the whole medical center complex??? Then yesterday I went to IHOP with some friends and both of my parents were like yeah you shouldn't go to that IHOP cuz it's dangerous (this is the one on Washington) and again I've been there a few times and had 0 issues. They're both late 40s and not completely insane so I was just so surprised. Am I wrong? Or are they being racist/super paranoid?