Kids & Family

Carmike Assures Security Measures in Wake of 'Dark Knight' Shooting

Carmike Cinemas at South Hills Village constantly trains staff members with regard to customer safety.

Staff members at the Carmike 10 at South Hills Village dressed as planned Friday, displaying the iconic Batman symbol for the opening of one of the summer's biggest blockbusters.

As anticipated, ticket buying was brisk for Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises," the final installment of his trilogy featuring the famed comic crimefighter.
But by the time of the Carmike 10's first matinee at 11:30 a.m., details were emerging about the suspect in an attack during an Aurora, CO, midnight screening that now is deemed the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Managers at the South Hills Village theater said they were not allowed to comment about the tragedy, referring inquiries to the Carmike corporate office in Columbus, GA.

"Our whole family is really saddened by this senseless shooting," Terrell Mayton, director of marketing, said late Friday afternoon. "Our hearts are just broken over this. Everyone here all day long has been thinking about and praying for the victims."

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Mayton said all Carmike staff members are trained in standard security procedures. Signs are posted in theaters alerting patrons about the right to inspect all bags and packages, and that weapons specifically are not allowed.
"We try to make it very clear, without being intrusive, about appropriate behavior in our theaters," he said.

Security personnel regularly monitor theaters – some visible, some not – and ushers constantly take measures such as ensuring emergency exits are functional.

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"We work really hard to make sure our guests are safe and secure," Mayton said.

Meanwhile, commenters on Carmike Cinemas' Facebook page expressed various opinions about the tragedy.

"When people hide in their homes, the bad guy wins," wrote Tonya Carlson. "Go see the movie and enjoy each day as if it were your last. We should (not) have to do that just because of this tragedy, we should be doing it every day."

Amber Wade Chavez commented: "I think someone just took the opportunity to do this evil act because they knew the theater would be jam packed, the movie may have played a very small role into this person's scheme."


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