NCS4 director: movie theaters can be made more secure | News

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM)- The head of a Southern Miss institute which studies sports and entertainment event security said techniques which help make large public areas such as stadiums safer can be applied to smaller venues such as movie theaters as well. Dr. Lou Marciani is director of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security.

He said anyone who oversees an area where there are large gatherings of people could benefit from simply being prepared. He said a proper analysis of risk factors, adequate training of staff and the presence of law enforcement can go a long way toward preventing a tragedy such as Thursday night's shootings in Colorado.  12 people were killed and 59 were wounded when a gunman opened fire at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie in the city of Aurora.    

"That's the best solution I would say to any of us in the industry, is to be prepared the best we can be," said Marciani. "And that is looking at the risk, looking at people, training them, and exercising your plan so that if something would occur, we can do the best we can to protect the people," Marciani said. 

He said an effective crisis management and evacuation plan would also benefit both large and small arenas.

Copyright 2012 WDAM. All rights reserved.