In response to violence at movie theaters around the country this year, Regal Cinemas is rolling out a new security program.
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Let’s be honest, Regal’s change in their admittance policy is more about protecting themselves from financial loss due to outside confections and security-oriented lawsuits than it is about theater safety.
Some said the plan would be an adjustment, including the company, admitting “it is not without flaws, but hope these are minor in comparison to increased safety”.
Movie theaters have become the site of a handful of recent shootings.
CNN reports it appeared the company added the policy after a gunman killed two people at a Louisiana theater in July.
Earlier this month, a man pepper-sprayed movie goers and injured one with a hatchet at a theater in Tennessee.
And in 2012, James Holmes killed 12 people during a screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colo.
Though Regal’s competitors do not have similar measures in place, the idea might win the favor of moviegoers.
“They just asked us to open up our purse to check inside”, says Ellen Schatz of Lincoln Park, who say a children’s matinee of “Minions”.
“I don’t really feel unsafe when I go to the movies right now, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it”, said Kim Kountouras, of Larchmont.
Georgetown 14 Cinemas agrees that safety is the top priority and will turn away people if they refuse their new security procedures.
Regal operates 7,735 screens at 569 theaters across the country including 137 at nine multiplexes in San Diego County. “They went through my girl’s stuff and you know, it’s okay”.
“Moviegoers have become so accustomed to having these types of security measures enacted in all kinds of public spaces, from theme parks to sports venues and rock concerts”, says Dergarabedian.
Regal’s corporate office didn’t respond to requests for comment. He says, “We feel trampled on in a lot of cases so it’s a defensive group, a collection of gun owners”.
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Theaters are hiring more staff to search through bags and purses before you enter the theater. While you can bet that Regal will be using this verbiage to execute bag checks for the next couple of months or so, there’s no language in the new regulations stating that this needs to continue happening after Regal and cinema audiences are comfortable with going to the movies again. An armed security guard stood nearby. “I would have to call my general manager in that case”.
