Long Beach Police Department, responding to the Colorado mass murder of 12 and wounding of 59 moviegoers at a midnight screening of the new Batman movie, said Friday afternoon that it would heighten patrol presence at the city's many theaters.
The precautionary move was announced to the public via e-mailed Nixle alert about 2 p.m. It says the following:
"In light of the multiple victim shooting incident in Colorado and as a precaution, the Long Beach Police Department is in communication with management/security at movie theaters located in the City of Long Beach, and will be providing additional patrols at and around theaters.
'Although it does appear to be an isolated incident, we are always concerned a violent act of this scale could occur at a place where the public gathers. We hope a tragedy like this never takes place in our community, but we continuously train and are prepared to respond should this type of situation ever arise,' stated Patrol Deputy Chief Robert Luna.
"As always, people in the community should pay attention to what is going on around them and to report any suspicious persons or activity immediately by calling 9-1-1."
The city has numerous cinemas, including Cinemark at The Pike downtown, and Edwards Towne Centre off the 605 Freeway, both of which are screening the latest Batman movie. Those closest to Belmont Shore include: the in shopping center, the in Marina Pacifica shopping center and The Art Theatre on Fourth Street. Of the latter three movie theaters, only AMC is currently screening The Dark Knight Rises.
For a story on the AMC Theatre chain's increased security and new ban of masks, fake guns asnd costumes that make other moviegoers "uncomfortable," click here.
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