Guest attacks security at Disneyland - makes you think about how safe it is...

[Keurigirl]

There is a news report of a man attacking a security guard outside Tower of Terror at California Adventure. From the video I saw on You Tube, it's clear that it took quite a while for real security to show up and subdue the man. Actually, the security guard - even with his pepper spray - was unable to stop him.

It does make you pause for a moment, doesn't it? I think of Disney as being outside the realm of the real world, but obviously it isn't.

Why did it take so long for security to come? It is pretty clear from the video had he really wanted to he could have hurt someone. I mean, it took the participation of guests to actually hold him down.

ETA: Here is the news report:http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2012/02/20/man-arrested-pepper-sprayed-at-disney-park/108765/

The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0qtqsUAXBQ

 

[kaligal]

I don't know who I'd rather have in my house less - drunk (or crazy? or both?) guy or the screeching woman. They ought to send her in to screech at terrorists who refuse to talk.

I think the staff person went a little overboard with the pepper spray.

 

[MolonLabe]

Safety is an illusion.

Having no knowledge of the safety procedures in Disneyland, as compared to WDW and MK, I must say it's a bit surprising to see a lone guard there for almost 4 minutes.

In reality the 4~ minutes isn't that long but you know the saying-
"When seconds count police are only minutes away".

Safety and Security, whether at a theme park or the airport is mostly for show. As tempting as it is, you should never fully let your guard down.

Anyway, that's an excellent example of why you should never rely on pepper spray alone for self defense.

Thanks for the post. I'm glad stuff like this is isolated at Disney. This sort of thing is an almost daily occurrence at places like Six Flags great America.

 

[Huskerkelsey]

There are two things I absolutely love about this video

1. The girl that's repeatedly yelling "Stop! This is Disneyland! There are kids here!" Cuz ya know, that's helpful...

2. In true Disney form they hand him napkins to wipe his eyes after they pepper spray him

I know this probably isn't a laughing matter and a good reminder but I did find those things funny. But a big thumbs up to the guests that were willing to jump right in there and help!

 

[Keurigirl]

Yes, clearly that woman should shut up and get whatever kids are near her away from the area instead of yelling useless things. It made the situation worse because it drew attention. It also made her sound like an idiot.

I was just concerned because four minutes seems like an awfully long time to wait when someone is acting crazy.

 

[ks13]

Speaking from experience with crowd control and security a few things i noticed. Before someone ask no i never worked for disney,

1. I agree security was lacking and slow to respond.

2. this guy was likely not just drunk but under the influence of something or mentally disturbed to take that much pepper spray.

3. they should have shut that woman up in the name of safety, she was creating a 2nd issue

4. there should not have been any video let alone 4 minutes worth. I know hard to control but it is disney after all.

Those worried about safety the best thing you can do is always know where the exits are and not just the main ones. In general just beware of who and what is around you. Another thing I hate to say it but if you see someone acting very drunk, let a cm know because you could save a life or prevent issues like this.

 

[raidermatt]

That was a long time. Once in Epcot we saw a man pass out on a bench and a CM radioed for help that took less than 60 seconds to arrive.

The parks are generally safe, but there's always a few with the potential to snap, and when you throw alcohol into the picture the odds do go up. Guys like this are why I question anyone who advocates confronting other guests over things like line cutting.

 

[HookedOnDiz]

There are two things I absolutely love about this video

1. The girl that's repeatedly yelling "Stop! This is Disneyland! There are kids here!" Cuz ya know, that's helpful...

2. In true Disney form they hand him napkins to wipe his eyes after they pepper spray him

I know this probably isn't a laughing matter and a good reminder but I did find those things funny. But a big thumbs up to the guests that were willing to jump right in there and help!

Actually - using the napkins is not a Disney thing. When you pepper spray someone you have an obligation to decontaminate them once they have subdued. Thats part of the the training. But the guy should have waited until the guy was in custody and they removed him from the public view.

The problem I see is that if they're going to issue that guy pepper spray and expect him to use it on combative guests they should also issue him handcuffs so he can take the person into custody to avoid a long drawn out scene like that.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

Glad I'm no the only one who thinks the woman "screeching" was annoying and a little nuts, maybe even a little drunk. Notice the beer in her hand? What was that going to do? That man was paying no more attention to her than he was the security guard.

 

[MommyPoppins]

I think the staff person went a little overboard with the pepper spray.

Clearly not..the man got right back up and started fighting again.

The woman probably wasn't that loud and annoying in person, it's because she was standing right next to the camera and so her voice was picked up really loudly in the recording.

The security guard clearly had no training to take care of this situation. It's good guests finally stepped in. That guy had the guard down on the ground.

 

[eliza61]

There is a news report of a man attacking a security guard outside Tower of Terror at California Adventure. From the video I saw on You Tube, it's clear that it took quite a while for real security to show up and subdue the man. Actually, the security guard - even with his pepper spray - was unable to stop him.

It does make you pause for a moment, doesn't it? I think of Disney as being outside the realm of the real world, but obviously it isn't.
Why did it take so long for security to come? It is pretty clear from the video had he really wanted to he could have hurt someone. I mean, it took the participation of guests to actually hold him down.

ETA: Here is the news report:http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2012/02/20/man-arrested-pepper-sprayed-at-disney-park/108765/

The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0qtqsUAXBQ

And crooks and theives know this. Why do you think vacation destinations make prime locations for the bad guys?

Vacation destinations are made up from people from every day life. So yep even the wackadoodles are there.

 

[BillBrasky]

The best part is just as he finishes wiping the pepper spray out of his eyes, he immediately gets sprayed again. This is why I always wear safety goggles when I want to get blitzed in the parks. Can't wait to see this on Tosh.0.

 

[WDSearcher]

Disney tends to let down its guard too -- not just Guests. Things like this happen so very rarely at any of the parks. For the sheer number of people going through the gates every day, you'd expect to see a lot more instances like this, or worse. But they don't happen. And so everyone -- from Security to the parents leaving their camera in the stroller -- gets lulled into this "happy place".

The security guard in this instance was not ready to deal with an issue like this, but I don't know that that can be seen as indicative of all security training at Disney. I've had some pretty capable men and women save my behind in a few tense situations. But the factor of how long it took for additional support to arrive may also be a factor of the security guard's inexperience. Plus ... no one knows what else may have been happening in the parks that might have been commanding attention.

When something like this happens, you kind of go through a few phases. You're surprised and a little nervous, hoping it's just something small. So maybe you don't automatically call for back-up because you think it'll burn itself out. Then when it becomes clear that it won't, you're a little too engaged to call anyone yourself and a bit too preoccupied to tell someone else what to do. And once you're in full barrell, you're relying on other people, many of whom are ALSO in that weird place of "wait ... this kind of stuff doesn't happen at Disneyland!" Not helped at all by other Guests screaming or getting hysterical.

My guess is that there will be increased security scenario training over the next several months and that you may start seeing extra security CMs (likely more plainclothes than in costume) on duty.

But the thing, still, to remember is that this instance is an anomoly. It's like the guy going bonkers at the grocery store or the people who get into full fledged physical altercations at movie theaters -- it happens, but it's not a regular occurance!

 

[mr.bungle]

The woman who was yelling appeared to be with the kids who were filming and probably sans kids. She also had a beer in her hand. Even the comments on youtube focus on her for some reason.

It is kind of strange that it took so long for security to show up since ToT is near a backstage access area. The security guy who was there obviously wasn't a spring chicken so that may have had something to do with it. But we also only have part of the story.

 

[oasispaul]

There was a drunk guy fighting with a secruity guard in that video??? I missed it, because all I could hear was that annoying screech "STOP - THERE ARE KIDS HERE! YOU'RE IN DISNEYLAND!"

Finger nails on a chalkboard have nothing on that lady.

 

[Jennasis]

Wait, you guys are annoyed by the yelling woman and not the idiot frat guys? "We're just tryin' to help man." By hovering over them with a camera and narrating how "Epic!" this all is? Those guys were morons.

 

[BillBrasky]

Apparently he tried to use an expired fastpass and was immediately pepper sprayed. They aren't kidding about the new rules. Didn't even take his excuse that he had been busy getting pepper sprayed at California Screamin and couldn't make it over in time.

 

[goofyernmost]

Yes, clearly that woman should shut up and get whatever kids are near her away from the area instead of yelling useless things. It made the situation worse because it drew attention. It also made her sound like an idiot.

I was just concerned because four minutes seems like an awfully long time to wait when someone is acting crazy.

How can it be said that 4 minutes is an awfully long time. Really? Does Disney have the magic transporter that will beam them to the locations or should there be thousands of them there to be "on the spot" when something happens. As it was A security guy was there and I'm sure he didn't expect the situation to escalate to that degree. So that brings the question...when would the guy have had time to call in for reinforcements? Would it be between ducking the swings from that jerk or when he was spraying originally? Or maybe when the guy had him down on the ground?

He may have been older and not in the physical condition of a young Arnold, but he stuck to the task even when it was obvious that he was in danger of physical injury. I think that deserves acclaim instead of criticism, don't you?

In the situation many people were standing around, some obnoxiously yelling out demands, but no one moved forward to help the guy out until the end. It is a sad story of how we are able to view the struggles of others merely as entertainment, but not willing to help out a person obviously in over his head. I'm sure he was one of the HIGH paid CM's at Disneyland as well, making it all the more amazing. Yet, we sit here and say things like...too much pepper spray was used. Yea, right! My guess is that it was too old and wasn't effective anymore therefore, not enough was used...I doubt they use the stuff often.

Handing him a napkin to wipe his eyes, was the humane thing to do since it seemed that he had been subdued and no longer wanting to fight. Mistake, but one that was necessary in this situation.

Many people can get drunk and not be violent...some cannot. Those that cannot, do not deserve any sympathy if they made the very bad decision to go to a place like Disneyland and make a drunken fool of himself.

 

[oasispaul]

Apparently he tried to use an expired fastpass and was immediately pepper sprayed. They aren't kidding about the new rules. Didn't even take his excuse that he had been busy getting pepper sprayed at California Screamin and couldn't make it over in time.

Winner.

 

[goofyredraider]

Wait, you guys are annoyed by the yelling woman and not the idiot frat guys? "We're just tryin' to help man." By hovering over them with a camera and narrating how "Epic!" this all is? Those guys were morons.

My thoughts exactly. I can handle the screechiness...but the Beavis and Butthead was too much.