Ann Arbor theaters review security; one asks patrons to skip masks after Colorado shooting
- Related article: Former colleagues: Ex-Ann Arbor police chief Dan Oates 'well prepared' for crisis like Colorado shooting
Movie theaters in the Ann Arbor area are reviewing security measures and one is asking patrons not to wear masks to showings of “The Dark Knight Rises” in the wake of a deadly shooting spree in Aurora, Colo., early Friday.
“People really like to dress up and we’re fine with that,” said Drew Buikema, manager of the Goodrich Quality 16 theater on Jackson Road. “We are requesting people not wear masks.”
Police officers provide increased security outside a movie theater screening “The Dark Knight Rises,” Friday, in New York. NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly said the department was providing the extra security "as a precaution against copycats and to raise the comfort levels among movie patrons" following a mass shooting at a Colorado theater.
AP photo
Masks have not been banned at Rave Motion Pictures on Carpenter Road, said Danny DiGiacomo, director of marketing for the chain. It’s up to the discretion of general managers at the individual theaters to monitor theatergoers, he said.
“We take security very seriously and will continue to make every effort to ensure that our moviegoers are safe when they visit our theaters,” he said.
Some theaters in metro Detroit and across the nation had beefed up security and some banned masks and costumes after the shooting that left 12 dead and 59 wounded at a showing of the latest Batman film in Aurora, Colo. Police said a man wearing a gas mask and black SWAT gear entered the theater through an exit and fired upon the crowd. Police arrested James Holmes, a 24-year-old doctoral student in neuroscience near a car behind the theater.
MJR Theaters had decided to ban masks and costumes, the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported. AMC Theatres issued a statement saying it was reviewing safety and security procedures.
Buikema said Friday afternoon attendance had been good at movie showings throughout the day, especially given the near-perfect weather and the ongoing Ann Arbor Art Fair, both of which tend to suppress ticket sales. He did say, however, the “Dark Knight” attendance was somewhat below what would have predicted, while attendance at family-oriented movies was a bit higher than he expected.
As for talk about the shootings, he said most of that has been from the media. “I get a few casual comments,” he said. “But I really haven’t had any customers come to me with direct concerns about it.”
Comments
obviouscomment
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
I always thought the masks were a bad idea anyway. I feel uncomfortable when I can't see a person's face to give a description if necessary.
mhirzel
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
Strip searches for all movie patrons!
63Townie
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
Here's an idea: instead of banning masks (knee-jerk reaction only to make us feel better), what about a "smart" emergency exit door that would only sound an alarm if the door is opened while the movie is going on, but allows patrons to leave once the movie is over? Once the lights go down, if you need to leave you have to use exit doors that go to the lobby.
Lac Court Orilles
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
If Mitt Romney gets elected, he will fire most of the police officers we depend upon to come to our rescue and who work hard to preserve our security. Romney will say that getting rid of police officers will give you the freedom to hire your own body guards when you go out in public. What a deal that will be!
Bcar
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 12:13 p.m.
@ LAC, I thought you were talking about the MAYOR of ANN ARBOR who's ALREADY CUT the police force...hmmm...
meecrob
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
@lac Wow wear did you get that? lol
Mike
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
He said that? What else did he say...........
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 2:52 p.m.
Lac...Is this an attempt at humor or just a stupid cheap shot in an election year?
WalkingJoe
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 12:16 p.m.
I'm just going to say one thing. Did all of you who commented that if some of the people in the theater were armed or if the security was armed miss the news reports quoting police that is guy had on full body armor?
Ricebrnr
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
And no body has bullet resistant face armor yet.
Mike
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
I missed the part about it being on his head, arms, and legs.............plus if you hit him with a round even with body armor he's going to feel it and be stunned.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 4:37 a.m.
So preventing customers from wearing masks is the best these theater owners/managers can come up with?? ROFL! The intruder (James Holmes) gained entrance to the theater through an unlocked, unguarded, unprotected, unmonitored, un-illuminated DOOR. Masks (worn or not) had little or nothing to do with this tragic incident. If business managers are so unconcerned with the lives of their customers and patrons: then maybe it's not such a great idea to give them "decision-making authority" in the first place. Maybe if the "managers" at Virginia Tech took protecting their teachers and students more seriously and acted more effectively, they wouldn't have had the worst mass shooting in American history. Same goes for the University of Michigan of course. Instituting self defense weapons "bans" on campus is just the easiest way to "calm the public" but shouldn't be mistaken for effective thought and action. Neglecting proper security isn't a proper substitute for these things either. The real question underlying these tragic episodes we're enduring every few years is: why are those responsible for public safety (in schools, businesses, etc.) being allowed to slough off both our right to life and their responsibility? I for one am sick of seeing these stories about helpless victims being shot to death by psychotics (which no one seems to have the courage to stop). We can do better than this!
Mike
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
All fire doors have closers and are locked upon closing. The suspect came into the theater, left the door propped open, grabbed his guns and came back in the same way before murdering these folks. In every society thinks like this happen with less frequency than auto accidents and yet we don't outlaw autos. Why are we so afraid of guns? That idiot would never have gone into that theater is he thaought 20 people in there were armed and would have shot him dead before he shot 70 people......use your heads people and not your emotions. Gun training is required prior to obtaining and concealed weapons permit and just abot anyone who carries goes to the range at least twice a year.
brian
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 4:43 a.m.
I did read one article that says he pried opened the door. If that is the case we need armed security. In Ypsilanti Michigans Movie theater we do have armed guards. Shoot first, ask questions later. Enjoy.
brian
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 4:28 a.m.
Guess it's time to bring in TSA to movie theaters.
Mike
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 9:07 p.m.
Don't laugh some legislator will read this and try to implement it with a maovie safety tax........
Wehrwolf
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 4:03 a.m.
The media and protectionists would have us think that mass shooters lie waiting in the dark corners of movie theaters around the country, and we are, therefore, all that much safer by banning dangerous masks there.
brian
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 4:24 a.m.
Nice name, I like Werewolves and all scary things. I must agree with you.
microtini
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 2:40 a.m.
Banning masks at movies following this incident is like banning beards at airports after 9/11. In a country of 300 million, there is no way to avoid these types of incidents.
Veracity
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.
Citizens carrying firearms into a theater like the one in Aurora would only add to the mayhem. Imagine, perhaps, a dozen armed citizens rising from seats in response to shots being fired and aiming their weapons. Not knowing how many shooters were present, how would these well-intentioned citizens choose their targets? In fact, the innocent citizens who draw weapons themselves will likely become targets of other good-intentioned citizens. Then again, how accurately are these citizens going to shoot in a dark and hazy environment with patrons scrambling all around and adrenaline pumping through everyone's veins? How many more innocent people will be shot by mistake. And remember that one bullet fired in the Aurora theater went through the wall and injured another patron watching a different movies. With the shooter initiating fire with an automatic weapon that can discharge a hundred rounds in a minute or two, citizens responding by drawing their weapons will be late and many injuries and deaths will occur before a citizen can put down the shooter (presuming that the citizen is capable of accurately firing his weapon and at the right target.)
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 3:58 a.m.
You assume a LOT in stating your premise. "Perhaps" you don't know about tactical training for civilians (?). Being sure of your opponent / target is a fundamental principal, FYI. In fact, those trained to use deadly force know exactly what to do in virtually every scenario. On top of that, it's obvious that in every mass shooting, the shooter(s) plan to use SLACK SECURITY to enter public spaces and then launch their attack(s). Just locking the doors to the outside would have prevented this latest shooter from getting into that theater. A simple system could have been installed to set off an alarm upon entry and to illuminate the entrance area. (Better to interrupt the movie and alert patrons than to let an unhindered killer loose in a darken theater, eh?) FYI: having an automatic rifle or machine gun is no advantage. It actually makes taking out the machine gunner a top priority and their life span in combat is proven to be a matter of MINUTES. And - being "late" engaging the threat doesn't mean it's not worthwhile to engage the killer if MORE lives are at stake because of INACTION. Just FYI, every single point you make is routinely answered in tactical training classes. So NONE of your presumptions holds any water. Seung-Hui Cho, Harris and Klebold and this James Holmes could have all been stopped by sensible (affordable) security measures and/or by trained, armed citizens. More importantly: THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN but weren't.... largely because of uninformed thinking like that you've put forth.
Mike
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 2:48 a.m.
"And remember that one bullet fired in the Aurora theater went through the wall and injured another patron watching a different movies." Do you realize that bullets that penetrate walls do less tissue damage than those that mushroom and don't penetrate? That's why hollow points are not used by police and the military per geneva convention. Educate yourself if you're going to comment on firearms. Your opinions don't coincide with the facts.
Mike
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 2:43 a.m.
First of all he didn't have an automatic weapon. There are many families who today wish there were patrons that had firearms to stop this mad man. Do you realize the perpetrator probably knew that firearms are not allowed in theaters, schools, and stadiums by law? What better place to kill a bunch of innocent people who cannot defend themselves because of gun control laws. Think about that as the anti-gun crowd asks for more restrictions on guns. The bad guys will get guns regardless, crazy people cannot be stopped by laws otherwise we would have no murders in this country, and an unarmed population is at the mercy of those with the arms. I'll keep mine thank you very much and hopefully someone like me can save your rear end if the opportunity arises some day.
joe.blow
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 1 a.m.
This is idiotic. There is always a risk to living. Asking a theater to have increased security will not increase your safety. What's next, security at Burger King? Bad things happen, I feel for the family, but let's not get stupid.
Bryan Ellinger
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 1:24 a.m.
Quite a few fast-food joints have security guards. You're right about the risk thing. It seems that the terrifying nature of tragedies like this throw people's risk assessment abilities out of balance.
kraiford12
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
Feeling safe vs actual safety. The mask ban surely thwarts the bad-men
Bryan Ellinger
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 6:26 p.m.
We are not talking about Modern Combat 3 here. Dark theater. Smoke. Black ballistic gear. Who's going to land that first shot to the face? "... there seems to be a consensus among practitioners and researchers alike that police marksmanship in real-life (scene of a crime) situations is less than desirable, something along the order of one hit for every six shots (Morrison 2002). This means that in gunfighting with actual criminals, the average police officer effectiveness is at the level of 17% proficiency. This is much less, as you will have noticed, than the 84% proficiency level required for qualification in police training. It also illustrates the problem, that real-life situations are so vastly different from training situations." -- http://goo.gl/WyqJr
Ricebrnr
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.
No one but bomb techs have armored faces and even then...
Bryan Ellinger
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 1:33 a.m.
Ricebrnr, If that's true, then that's encouraging. Maybe enough open-carry patrons would have prevented this from happening at all. This guy was covered in bullet resistant gear. Who knows how he'd have reacted to return fire?
Ricebrnr
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 12:19 a.m.
I disagree. It will cost them not one cent to allow lawful CPL holders to concealed carry in the theaters. All mass shooters have stopped shooting at the first sign of armed response. Better that a would be victim be the first responder immediately than a cooling body when the police finally show up.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
I suppose they feel like they need to do something, anything to make it seem like they are trying. But the only things that could seriously help cost way too much......More armed security...a lot more.
GoNavy
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
As always, we review these procedures *after* the fact. PS I thought that theater exits were *closed* from the outside. Perhaps theaters can start by making sure this is still the case?
Laura
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 12:19 a.m.
They do lock from the outside, they are fire exits. However, there should be an ALARM in place if the door is propped open. He propped the door and nobody noticed.
A2comments
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 11:37 a.m.
Some reports indicate someone went out to take a call. Regardless, if the doors were locked, nothing stopped him from entering via the main entrance, no one could have stopped him, even if they had security guards. Our society promotes the ownership of assault weapons and handguns with huge magazines as protected by the Constitution. We need to rethink things. We also need to develop procedures to investigate the purchase of multiple weapons in a limited timeframe.
Modern_Atheist
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 6:32 a.m.
I guess I've read a bunch of conflicting reports though... who really knows?
Modern_Atheist
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 6:28 a.m.
reports I read stated that he walked through the exit and propped the door open to "gear up" chances are if he let the door shut it would have locked and he would have had no way of getting back into the theater. I worked at a theater before and the emergency exits didn't even have handles on the opposite side, so there was no way of getting back in.