Movie theaters step up security following mass shooting - WFSB 3 Connecticut
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Connecticut State Police as well as local police are stepping up patrols at theaters and other public venues across the state after a shooting rampage left 12 dead and dozens more injured in Colorado.
Fans of the much-anticipated The Dark Knight Rises are expected to converge on move theaters across the state, and the fear of copycat crimes has heightened security.
But fans who have been waiting for the flick to open said the mass shooting will not deter them from seeing it.
"I just woke up this morning and my mom told me what happened," said moviegoer Joe Balawajder. "It's pretty heartbreaking, really."
Lianne Kaswer agrees.
"I think everyone is a little bit freaked out," she said.
On Friday night, Simsbury police cars will be weaving through the parking lot much more often than they normally do.
Officials said there has been no threat of copycat crimes, but they want to be cautious.
New Haven's Criterion Theatre will also be under more watchful police eyes, and in West Hartford, police plan on having a patrol stationed throughout the night and even suggest that masks and costumes should be left home.
"A presence will certainly be noticed," Officer David Hartman, spokesman for the New Haven Police Department said. "We are going to do what we can to make sure people feel as safe as possible."
AMC Theatres released a statement on Friday that said, "AMC Theatres is deeply saddened by the Aurora tragedy. Movie going is part of our social fabric and this senseless act shakes us to our core. We're reinforcing our security procedures with our theatre teams, which we cannot discuss in detail for obvious, safety reasons. Local law enforcement agencies, our landlords and their and our local security teams are stepping up nationwide to ensure we provide the safest environment possible for our guests. We couldn't be more grateful for their collective support."
AMC officials also said guests will not be allowed into their theatres in costumes that make other guests feel uncomfortable and will not permit face-covering masks or fake weapons inside the buildings.
AMC also said it would offer an exchange or refund to anyone who doesn't feel comfortable heading to a movie theatre at this time.
The movie opened across the world Friday with midnight showings in the U.S. Police and some movie theaters in the U.S. stepped up security for daytime showings of the movie, though many fans waiting in line said they were not worried about their safety.
Copyright 2012 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). The Associated press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.
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