New Security Measures At The Parks

[BugsDaddy]

The statistics don't back you up. Random screening with metal detectors doesn't make us any safer. Terrorists spend moths or years planing their attacks. They can certainly get past "random" screening. This is smoke and mirrors, the illusion of doing something, nothing more.

What statistics are those exactly? It's one of those irresponsible statements that no one ever really backs up with data. It just sounds good in a response.

 

[BugsDaddy]

The statistics don't back you up. Random screening with metal detectors doesn't make us any safer. Terrorists spend moths or years planing their attacks. They can certainly get past "random" screening. This is smoke and mirrors, the illusion of doing something, nothing more.

The strategy of placing metal detectors at airports and increasing screening of passengers before they board planes has elements of situational crime prevention as well as those of deterrence and rational choice theory. Situational crime prevention focuses on reducing the opportunities for crime, while also increasing an offender’s perceived risk of apprehension. This can include efforts such as target hardening. Generally, the purpose of target hardening is to make physical entry more difficult or more risky.

Deterrence and rational choice theory holds that humans are rational beings who consider the consequences of their actions and are deterred from engaging in continual patterns of offending as a result of the certainty, severity, and celerity of punishment. It assumes that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of crime, and therefore crime can be prevented by increasing the costs or decreasing the rewards of committing a crime. Counterterrorism strategies, such as the use of metal detectors, attempt to raise the perceived cost of committing terrorist acts, such as hijacking, by increasing the certainty of detection.

So, unless you somehow know exactly how many terrorist were or were not deterred by such actions, any statistics that you might throw out there are meaningless.

 

[slickpoetry]

It strikes me as amusing that people are criticizing security measures at Disney as being ineffectual when just earlier this week Disney security stopped a man with a loaded handgun from entering MK.

 

[BugsDaddy]

It strikes me as amusing that people are criticizing security measures at Disney as being ineffectual when just earlier this week Disney security stopped a man with a loaded handgun from entering MK.

Most of these people worry more about spending an extra 5 minutes in line than about the security of themselves and their families and the other people in the park. Not much different than the other entitled behavior that we see.

 

[DougEMG]

for us if we can;t wear costumes for the party then their is no reason to pay for the party

Same here. No costume, then no point in going to the party.

The only bright side is that it will save me a ton of money on costumes and party tickets.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Fyi, Universal does not allow costumes at their Halloween party.

That's comparing apples to oranges. The word "party" isn't even in their title, it's Halloween Horror Nights, completely different event, there's no comparison to be made.

 

[Jennasis]

That's comparing apples to oranges. The word "party" isn't even in their title, it's Halloween Horror Nights, completely different event, there's no comparison to be made.

I disagree. They are both after hours, hard ticket Halloween events to celebrate Halloween. For Universal, I imagine the real reason they do not allow costumes is because they have costumed folks roaming the park and wouldn't want the confusion of costumed guests in the mix. But their event does not suffer attendance-wise from not allowing anyone to dress up, and should Disney decide to not allow ADULTS to dress up, it will be just as festive to have the kiddos dressed up.

IMO, of course.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Fyi, Universal does not allow costumes at their Halloween party.

It's been years, since I been at a US Halloween party. The costumes and atmosphere were amazing. I had no idea they no longer allowed costumes

 

[lugnut33]

Any first hand experiences from today?

 

[kittyab]

I have a feeling as next September rolls around they will be lax the rules about costumes for the Halloween party. They want to sell tickets. There are ways to keep us happy and safe. I think we are panicking prematurely.

 

[kittyab]

Wow this thread has gone south quick

 

[larryz]

Wow this thread has gone south quick

It's cold up north this week, so I'm not complaining...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You know I'm all for safety here but for reals like I have said before we Americans go from 0 to 60 on so many things.

People it seems forget that when they go ANYWHERE they are at risk no matter what. That fact sure isn't going to keep me from getting out of my house.

The "no gun" signs only stop the ones who believe in responsible gun ownership (barring the random "omg I totally forgot I had my gun on me" which does happen). If someone really wants to do some damage they can and they will and that's the honest truth-additional security can only go so far.

The way Disney is handling this is poor in my book. If they really want to add metal detectors then install permanent ones (prior to implementing them) that blend in with the entrance where you get your finger scanned and have Disney employed security officers (not third party) to deal quickly but effectively individuals who set off the alarm. I don't need to feel like I'm at the airport back in 2001 where I'm patted down, wanded like crazy, etc.

The no costume rule I'm confused about that and why it became implemented..maybe I'm missing a story here (other than the recent terriorist attacks and the man who tried to bring a gun into MK).

The no more selling of toy guns is just soo overrushed and overgeneralized..let's just take away anthing that resembles anything in real life and call it good and then you'll have so few of things left in the parks.

I do think overtime some of these things will change and adjust especially as they see it in real life with large crowds...at least I hope.

 

[larryz]

What's the over/under on how long it takes WDW to offer (for $$$, of course) "Trusted Guest Status," a la TSA Precheck...?

 

[subtchr]

Any first hand experiences from today?

I entered DHS today about noon, no one in the regular bag check line I chose, normal bag check, and no one I saw was sent to the nearby metal detector. I'll see how it is at MK tomorrow!

 

[JaxDad]

I do think overtime some of these things will change and adjust especially as they see it in real life with large crowds...at least I hope.

Great post, Mac. I'm sure this may have been discussed up-thread, but I think this rushed roll-out has to be due to a potential threat. I can't believe Disney, Universal, AND SeaWorld all implemented stricter security the same week unless they were advised about SOMETHING by the government.

 

[sunshine1]

I wonder if they will bring in luggage scanners outside hotel entrances like i experienced last week at disneyland paris.

 

[sunshine1]

Pete Werner on a recent podcast said security is what keeps Disney awake at night.

 

[thedogatemyhomework]

It strikes me as amusing that people are criticizing security measures at Disney as being ineffectual when just earlier this week Disney security stopped a man with a loaded handgun from entering MK.

it's most likely not the existing security that anyone's complaining about, its how they're using the new metal detectors (if not everyone goes through them...are they really even useful...)

they have the wands that are so non-sensitive that they don't pick up a belt buckle (the seat belt kind so there's a decent anount of metal there). but the detectors you walk thru pick up the belt buckle just fine.

on the other hand if they did force everyone thru the detectors...you'd probably have to arrive at the parks an hour or 2 early just to be sure you'd clear the bag check line in time.

 

[Laz]

The strategy of placing metal detectors at airports and increasing screening of passengers before they board planes has elements of situational crime prevention as well as those of deterrence and rational choice theory. Situational crime prevention focuses on reducing the opportunities for crime, while also increasing an offender’s perceived risk of apprehension. This can include efforts such as target hardening. Generally, the purpose of target hardening is to make physical entry more difficult or more risky.

Deterrence and rational choice theory holds that humans are rational beings who consider the consequences of their actions and are deterred from engaging in continual patterns of offending as a result of the certainty, severity, and celerity of punishment. It assumes that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of crime, and therefore crime can be prevented by increasing the costs or decreasing the rewards of committing a crime. Counterterrorism strategies, such as the use of metal detectors, attempt to raise the perceived cost of committing terrorist acts, such as hijacking, by increasing the certainty of detection.

So, unless you somehow know exactly how many terrorist were or were not deterred by such actions, any statistics that you might throw out there are meaningless.

This theory assumes rationality and fear of punishment as a deterrence. Instead, we may have a terrorist who is willing to kill themselves with the belief that they will receive the ultimate reward in heaven. No deterrence in that case