Chin: Security measures not taken for granted

“While something like that (Aurora cinema shooting) is unlikely to occur here, one can’t take the safety and security of our patrons for granted. That’s why we’ve reviewed our security precautions and increased the visibility of our security staff.” Chin also told Newsday the need for proper security and surveillance cameras were things he does not take for granted, having been the target of a robbery scam which was said to have occurred just outside the premises of Movietowne Port-of-Spain.

“When people can fake a near-death experience to try to get money or to damage the reputation of Movietowne, I can’t take chances and assume no one would try to attack moviegoers inside one of our cinemas. That’s why we’ve reviewed our equipment and policies and increased the visibility of our officers, without being too onerous. You don’t want customers feeling like they’re in prison,” Chin stated.

An employee at Digicel IMAX told Newsday he had yet to field calls from customers who were concerned about their safety when The Dark Knight Rises opens on Wednesday. “Our midnight screening on the 25th remains as scheduled. Although we don’t expect any trouble, we have “beefed up” security as a precaution,” the employee said. Warner Brothers Pictures has cancelled the Mexico and Japan premieres of the latest Batman move, The Dark Knight Rises, following Friday’s massacre at a midnight showing of the movie at a cinema in Aurora, Colorado.

Twelve people were killed and 59 injured when James Holmes, 24, opened fire on the moviegoers after detonating multiple smoke bombs inside the packed cinema.

Last Friday’s Paris premiere was also cancelled by the studio. However, Warner Brothers said screenings for special guests and promotion winners would be held to avoid disappointing fans.

In Finland, movie distributor FS-Film’s entire Internet campaign for The Dark Knight Rises was temporarily shut down and television advertisements withdrawn.

Christian Bale, the actor who portrays Batman in the movie, issued a brief statement about the Aurora massacre.

(See Page 18A)