Security tight as Palins sign books at Minnesota mall

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Security is tight as Sarah Palin helps her daughter kick off a book tour at Mall of America.

Both Bloomington police and mall security are on hand Wednesday as the former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate appears with Bristol Palin at a joint book-signing.

Customers have to pass through a checkpoint before getting the two to sign copies of their latest books.

The mall estimates about 1,500 people turned out and that the Palins did about 700 autographs.

Bristol Palin's memoir, "Not Afraid of Life," came out last week and Wednesday is her first public event. Sarah Palin's "America by Heart" was released last fall. HarperCollins imprints published both books.

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