Sacramento, Calif. (ABC) — Shopping malls in California’s capital are celebrating their first peaceful Christmas in years after city leaders sent hundreds of violent youths to the neighboring city of Stockton.

“We created a new tradition,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “Instead of having our malls shut down, we supported the efforts of the community by deporting 200 violent youths to Stockton.”

As a result, for the first time in recent memory, no fights broke out this Christmas at Arden Fair Mall. But less than an hour’s drive south, fights broke out at two Stockton malls.

“I was embarrassed last year when people were doing things like jumping on cars or being violent,” said Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn. “But I feel a lot better this year with Mayor Steinberg’s leadership.”