Dozens of Disney workers arrested since 06'

[jtowntoflorida]

Come on Tim, you know you're supposed to sugar coat anything negative that has to do with Disney when you post on these boards...unless it has to do with FP+

Honestly, it's not about sugar coating, it's about posting relevant, timely, accurate information. When I read the post title, I'd assumed that a bunch of Disney employees were arrested recently, and before I clicked into the post, my mind went straight to "theft ring" rather than pedophilia, and I definitely thought it was something related to in-park behavior. But nope....we're talking a handful of people being arrested dating back a few years for attempting to solicit sex with minors online, which has absolutely nothing to do with anything that happened in the parks or while they're at work. Which is super helpful on a theme park planning board.

 

[Bullseye]

Honestly, it's not about sugar coating, it's about posting relevant, timely, accurate information. When I read the post title, I'd assumed that a bunch of Disney employees were arrested recently, and before I clicked into the post, my mind went straight to "theft ring" rather than pedophilia, and I definitely thought it was something related to in-park behavior. But nope....we're talking a handful of people being arrested dating back a few years for attempting to solicit sex with minors online, which has absolutely nothing to do with anything that happened in the parks or while they're at work. Which is super helpful on a theme park planning board.

No he didn't sugar coat it or sensationalize it either! The OP posted the title of the Article and the link...nothing else. Then he took a beating from several posters as though he was trying to mislead everyone. The title caught your attention and immediately, just like the rest of us, you were intrigued because you assumed the worst.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

No he didn't sugar coat it or sensationalize it either! The OP posted the title of the Article and the link...nothing else. Then he took a beating from several posters as though he was trying to mislead everyone. The title caught your attention and immediately, just like the rest of us, you were intrigued because you assumed the worst.

What do you mean I assumed the worst? What I ASSUMED was that the OP was posting timely information, about some recent event. His post title said there were arrests...the only assumptions I made was the information was about a recent event and my original assumption was that it was somehow involving theft. Both of my assumptions proved wrong once I opened the post.

Obviously different people have different views of what's "the worst" but I don't think my assumption (theft ring) is worse than the reality (soliciting sex with minors).

 

[Kellykins1218]

Disney has over 300,000 employees at Walt Disney World, the only surprising thing is that the number is that extraordinarily low. I'd like to ask CNN how Time Warner's numbers measure up.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

No he didn't sugar coat it or sensationalize it either! The OP posted the title of the Article and the link...nothing else. Then he took a beating from several posters as though he was trying to mislead everyone. The title caught your attention and immediately, just like the rest of us, you were intrigued because you assumed the worst.

Sorry Bulleyes I totally disagree it was written by the Tabloid to be extensionally misleading to get attention which is what it did.

It was misleading, period.

AKK

 

[OfTheWind]

I'm not suggesting that they can do anything different. (But since I don't work there, I don't know what precautions they are using. Having written the Policies and Standards for our church's "Safe Church" program, I do know a bit about employee conduct and practices, but I do not know what Disney does, so I cannot comment if they are deficient in any way.) The point of my post is that too often, Disney goggles cause people to conclude that "this isn't so bad. I'll bet other places are worse." But that is the wrong way to look at this issue. A problem is a problem and it doesn't become less of one simply because one can look to the right or to the left and find a problem that is bigger.

Some people will never get it. If they want to continue to let their guard down at Disney because they feel super duper safe, let them. I heard about the latest sting a week ago and I will continue to protect my children as I always have. I would never drop them off at a local daycare or let them wander around unsupervised, so why would I drop them off in one of Disney's kids clubs or take my eyes off of them at the resort pool? That male or female castmember smiling at your kids, offering them Mickey stickers could very well be arrested in the next sting operation.

No he didn't sugar coat it or sensationalize it either! The OP posted the title of the Article and the link...nothing else. Then he took a beating from several posters as though he was trying to mislead everyone. The title caught your attention and immediately, just like the rest of us, you were intrigued because you assumed the worst.

 

[tim123]

What do you mean I assumed the worst? What I ASSUMED was that the OP was posting timely information, about some recent event. His post title said there were arrests...the only assumptions I made was the information was about a recent event and my original assumption was that it was somehow involving theft. Both of my assumptions proved wrong once I opened the post.

Obviously different people have different views of what's "the worst" but I don't think my assumption (theft ring) is worse than the reality (soliciting sex with minors).

And I assumed you read the article. Is this a recent enough event for you.?
"The latest round of arrests last week netted another 13 suspects, including four who at some point worked at the sprawling Magic Kingdom."

 

[gdrj]

Old news.
But this should go without saying, just because it's Disney doesn't mean there aren't bad people around.
ETA... Disney is actually a prime place for sexual offenders and predators if they've never been caught because of all the kids around. Word to the wise... don't let your guards down... ever. Always be cautious.

Very true about being cautious, but that means not just of employees but of guests

Excuse me I posted an article on a WDW forum that I thought our followers would find newsworthy. Back off.. its the title of the English newspapers's lead story. Not mine. Should I have posted something else. Go ahead re-title it and I will edit it.
Tim

Agreed Tim, didn't think you had responsibility to be an editor. CNN has it listed as Dozens arrested in "sting". I think they have a greater responsibility for accurate headlines than you do

But let's say that you took your 6 year old daughter to BBB and as part of the process, a CM wanted to take her alone to a back room to get some clothes or hair toys, and asked you to wait where you were.

Talk about what if's and over the top examples that don't exist. No one suggested that. BUT would I feel better about having my child having a fun in a safe environment at Disney over other public areas, a resounding YES. Do you need to use common sense in everyday life, absolutely, which your made up story doesn't. Is there a public place or business that I feel more secure in for my children's safety, none that come to mind.

While any number of attacks and abuse of children is too many. Statistically your local school system has probably had a higher number of arrests. I'm sure its a concern with any company that interacts with large numbers of children.

I believe the reports states that none of situations occurred on property or with hotel or park guests. The pedophiles are not just walking through parks sweeping up children from their parent's arms. If Disney or Universal were not doing background checks, were allowing employees to have unsupervised 1 on 1 time with children or where aware of issues and not reporting them to the authorities that would be an issue. Both employers probably have more safeguards, on site security, cameras etc... than most other employers.

 

[L&Lfan]

I don't have kids but I wouldn't hesitate in using Disney on site child care if it were warranted. I wouldn't ever begrudge a couple if they desired a "date night" away from the kids while they're on vacation, although that's something my parents never would have fathomed. I would trust Disney child care services.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Seeing that Disney employs enough people to occupy a small country these numbers aren't as bad as expected. You'd think a job at a theme park would attract these kind of awful people but the rate in Disney employees seems to be lower than the rate in the general population. meaning Disney does a good job weeding them out

 

[agame2323]

First fast pass+ now this. Oh Boy.

 

[surferdave]

I don't have kids but I wouldn't hesitate in using Disney on site child care if it were warranted. I wouldn't never begrudge a couple if they desired a "date night" away from the kids while they're on vacation, although that's something my parents never would have fathomed. I would trust Disney child care services.

I wouldn't either. I would expect the care workers to be able to tell me what their policies are for child care, I suspect they have them built in to maintain transparency like I describe above such that children are never left alone with a single caretaker.

 

[JimmyV]

Where are you getting these scenarios?

I made them up. Plain and simple. I was responding to a poster who said they feel more safe at WDW than anywhere else. So the example is invented to show that WDW is, at its core, not so different. If a person asked to take your young child out of your sight at a mall, you would be concerned and suspicious. If a person asked to do that at WDW, you would feel the same. Feel free to ignore my examples and insert your own example of how this might happen either at a mall or at WDW. The scenario is not what is important. It is how you would feel and react if the situation arose that is important. Are you suggesting that a place the size of WDW is immune to situations where children could be at risk? Or less exposed to risk than at a mall or movie theater? Of course not.

I was in charge of our church Safe Sanctuary program for 3 years as well. As I recall we had to put windows in all the doors, run background checks on all employees and on all members who would be working with children, and put in place procedures to always have two trained adults who were not married to each other with children at all times (among many other things). About all an organization can do is check people when they hire them and maintain transparency in the workplace.

That article didn't make me fell any better or any worse about Disney, and I still believe it's sensationalist yellow journalism by CNN to present it this way. I also believe that sheriff is way out of line with his ideas about running polygraph tests on people.

I agree with all of the above (especially the bolded) except the "yellow" part which suggests not researched and invented. I don't doubt the facts as presented. Were they presented in a sensationalist manner? Yes. Fabricated? I don't think so.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Surfer Dave.

I like that transparency system you outlined.....I am going to ask my son and daughter if the grandkids school have the same system!

AKK

 

[surferdave]

I agree with all of the above (especially the bolded) except the "yellow" part which suggests not researched and invented. I don't doubt the facts as presented. Were they presented in a sensationalist manner? Yes. Fabricated? I don't think so.

yel·low jour·nal·ism
noun
journalism that is based upon sensationalism and crude exaggeration.
"equating murder and dismemberment with smoking pot is the worst yellow journalism"

I think that CNN is implying that WDW has a problem because these workers were arrested in a predator sting. I think that's baseless and fits the definition.

 

[JimmyV]

yel·low jour·nal·ism
noun
journalism that is based upon sensationalism and crude exaggeration.
"equating murder and dismemberment with smoking pot is the worst yellow journalism"

I think that CNN is implying that WDW has a problem because these workers were arrested in a predator sting. I think that's baseless and fits the definition.

yellow journalism
n.
Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers.

I guess there is a definition for every purpose. "The Yellow Kid" cartoon (from which the term arises) was most often associated with fabrication as opposed to sensationalizing. I think.

 

[nugov2]

Very true about being cautious, but that means not just of employees but of guests

Agreed Tim, didn't think you had responsibility to be an editor. CNN has it listed as Dozens arrested in "sting". I think they have a greater responsibility for accurate headlines than you do


Talk about what if's and over the top examples that don't exist. No one suggested that. BUT would I feel better about having my child having a fun in a safe environment at Disney over other public areas, a resounding YES. Do you need to use common sense in everyday life, absolutely, which your made up story doesn't. Is there a public place or business that I feel more secure in for my children's safety, none that come to mind.

While any number of attacks and abuse of children is too many. Statistically your local school system has probably had a higher number of arrests. I'm sure its a concern with any company that interacts with large numbers of children.

I believe the reports states that none of situations occurred on property or with hotel or park guests. The pedophiles are not just walking through parks sweeping up children from their parent's arms. If Disney or Universal were not doing background checks, were allowing employees to have unsupervised 1 on 1 time with children or where aware of issues and not reporting them to the authorities that would be an issue. Both employers probably have more safeguards, on site security, cameras etc... than most other employers.

Do you live in a bad neighborhood? I can think of tons of public places I feel more safe than I would at WDW. At my neighborhood park I allow my children to run around while I supervise from a bench. They can be a good distance away from me and I never once feel nervous. I wouldn't allow my small children to roam around away from me at WDW at all. Even in the play areas I follow right behind them.

I also feel safer at my mall or grocery store than WDW. They have thousands of people pouring in there daily and a if 2% are sickos(not just pedophiles) that is still a lot of people. If the average is 40,000 that is 800 walking around WDW on any given day. I'd guess in my day to day life I come in contact with on a bad day 10 if any at all some days. I feel much safer at every public place near and around my home than I ever would at a theme park. Doesn't mean I am walking around scared, but just on alert like I would at any other theme park I have visited. I feel no less or no more safe at WDW than any other large public venue.

I don't think this number is scary or alarming at all. Just sadly, the way the world is. People who are sick flock to public places to take advantage of people and I'm not sure why people would think WDW would be any different.

ETA that I have lived here for 10 years and not once has a teacher or staff member of our school district been arrested. I would be shocked if that statement was correct.

 

[surferdave]

Surfer Dave.

I like that transparency system you outlined.....I am going to ask my son and daughter if the grandkids school have the same system!

AKK

Here's more good reading if you like.

http://www.nsvrc.org/projects/child...ntion/preventing-child-sexual-abuse-resources

yellow journalism
n.
Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers.

I guess there is a definition for every purpose. "The Yellow Kid" cartoon (from which the term arises) was most often associated with fabrication as opposed to sensationalizing. I think.

For the record, I didn't seek one out that suited my purpose, I copied the first one that popped up in Google. I get what you're saying, but I think it can be yellow journalism without being fraudulent or factually incorrect.

 

[DisUniversal]

I would never drop them off at a local daycare

why would I drop them off in one of Disney's kids clubs

How are you going to deal with your children going to school? You have to drop them off there and chances are the school employees haven't been checked out any more thoroughly than the employees at a local daycare center.

I've been on several Disney Cruises and don't hesitate to drop my kids off at the kids clubs.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

The number of people currently employed by Disney and the number who have been previously employed by Disney over that time period probably covers a pretty good percentage of the population of the Orlando area. I'm not surprised that some of the people caught in a sting operation were current or former Disney employees.