How Theaters Plan to Handle Security during ‘Star Wars’ Opening Weekend

How Theaters Plan to Handle Security during 'Star Wars' Opening Weekend

Movie theaters are taking security seriously for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – even Darth Vader won’t be allowed in. It’s true: Major theater chains are asking movie goers to leave their masks, lightsabers or anything else that may resemble a weapon at home for this premier.

Theaters have been beefing up security in advance of the opening of the latest installment of “Star Wars” in December. The most visible change will be a literal show of force. Visible armed guards will be posted at multiplexes across the country, a response to increased concern about so-called soft targets in the wake of terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.

Movie theaters have been on edge since 2012 when a mass shooting at a multiplex in Aurora, Colorado, during “The Dark Knight Rises” killed 12 people and injured 70 more. There were two more mass shootings in Tennessee and Louisiana in 2015, one at Amy Schumer’s movie “Trainwreck” where 3 were killed.

The release of “Star Wars” is expected to bring millions of fans to U.S. theaters during its opening weekend, many of whom will be opting to see the show at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. or 5 a.m.

AMC, Regal and Cinemark have banned fans from wearing masks, face paint or bringing any sort of simulated weapon to any of the movie showings. Cinemark and Regal will prohibit lightsabers as well. AMC will allow lightsabers, but have asked for users to make sure they are turned off during the movie.

Beyond the show of force, security procedures will include bag checks. Security will be looking for weapons or bombs instead of the normal “outside treats.”

Movie theaters want to stress the fact that consumers shouldn’t be scared to enjoy any highly anticipated films. Leave the security up to them; their top priority is your safety.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Security Risks for U.S. Retail Chains

    Interface Systems, a provider of security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has released its 2024 State of Remote Video Monitoring in Retail Chains report. The detailed study analyzed over 2 million monitoring requests across 4,156 retail locations in the United States from September 2023 to August 2024. Read Now

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises. 3