Will we start seeing more security at movie theaters after the Lafayette movie theater shooting?
Following shooting death of two women and the injuring of nine others at The Grand 16 multiplex in Lafayette, Louisiana, many people have proposed solutions to battle the massacre problem at our local movie theaters.
Several people have proposed allowing all military personal the right to carry concealed weapons at all locations including movie theaters. While others suggest we add metal detectors. It doesn’t look like none of the above will ever be in place.
From the Hollywood Reporter:
Absent a widespread surge in violence, “It does not seem like there is an urgency to resort to such measures,” says Rentrak analyst Paul Dergarabedian, noting that the Lafayette shooting did not noticeably affect moviegoing during the July 24 weekend. Instead, he says, “Theater managers will most certainly be more aware, vigilant and conscious of the safety of their patrons.”
It begs the question- why not? Why aren’t movie theaters placing more security at our local movie theaters? Well, according to reports, movie theaters don’t want to pay for the extra cost of additional security and filmmakers are afraid, metal detectors will distract from the movie-going experience.
The cost of the equipment is only about $5,000, but personnel to run a proper checkpoint can cost $250,000 a year in smaller markets and $1 million in big cities.
“You will have to tell your customers to come a half-hour early to wait in a security line.”
In a weird twist, movie theaters are planning on adding additional security for the upcoming ‘Straight Outta Compton‘, because a hip-hop movies really promote massacre like behavior?
