Increased Theater Security Following Batman Premier Shooting
NOVI (WWJ) - In the aftermath of the deadly mass shooting at a Colorado premier of "The Dark Knight Rises," you may notice some stepped up security at movie theaters around Metro Detroit.
Novi is just one of several area communities that will have more police patrolling around area movie theaters, along with Southfield and Ann Arbor, amid concern about any possible copycat incident.
"Because of the Emagine (theater) there's a lot of other establishments around there. There's licensed liquor establishments, and certainly on Friday and Saturday nights we always have a very prominent presence up there and will continue to do so," said Novi Police Chief David Malloy.
MJR Theaters has canceled its midnight showings of the movie.
Malloy said he wouldn't advise that theaters cancel showings of the "The Dark Knight Rises," saying this type of thing could happen in any public place.
"It's always something that you have to keep in the back of your mind, but I also think it's something that we have to keep in perspective and when we do get threats that you investigate and you take them very seriously," he said.
Malloy said he's confident of the safety procedures already in place at Emagine theaters. However, as a result of this, Malloy said theaters nationwide might have increased security in the future -- probably short of adding metal detectors.
Cory Jacobson, owner of the Phoenix movie theaters in Livonia and Monroe, Cory Jacobson, doesn't anticipate he'll make any changes. He thinks people shouldn't overreact.
"I don't know (what should be done) other than just being vigilant and paying attention to your customers, which I think we do a fairly good job of already," Jacobson said. "I've never seen anything like this occur in our community or come anywhere close to this."
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