Security breach at MK? You be the judge...

[brich]

If a person had a bomb in a bag and left it under a seat, I would highly doubt they would RUN out of the building. They wouldn't want to draw attention to themselves. They would either calmly walk out or actually watch the show and leave it behind.

Welcome to the boards Kevn...:wave:
Who said it was a bomb? :veryconfu
I highly doubt someone would run out of the building as well. Very valid points. But what would you conclude if someone placed a bag next to your family member then took off running? Would you sit there as if it was nothing? You seem to know how someone would behave if they were to blow up a theater so I'm just curious as to if you know how you would have reacted in my case? Then tell me you honestly know how you would react when it actually happened, not looking back and having time to process the situation.

Ok, who's next to make conclusions that suit there stance that I should not have touched the bag? You do know that if I had to do it all again, I would not have touched the package, right? :lol:

I should have known by posting this it would lead to an afternoon of entertainment...:sohappy:

 

[wannab@dis]

Hey brich! :wave: You asked for opinions, so don't get upset that people respond with their opinion even if it doesn't jive with yours. As your first post indicates, you wanted input, so we'll give it. (of course, I can see how the highlighted portion may have been construed as you want opinions on how the CMs reacted, not you. )

The whole situation happened so fast. I just asked that before you respond, put your self in my shoes. It was a really scary thing. And I have no idea, looking back, why I did not remove my family from the theater immediately.

Any opinions as to whether this was handled correctly? And if you think, how could someone get a dangerous package into the MK, I say get from under your rock… Is it worth writing a letter to Disney Security or should I just move on. I have to reiterate, my sense of security in WDW was shattered by this…

As for the situation, I have to say that I would have been highly suspicious also. I don't think I would have messed with the package, but would have approached a CM and said that a VERY suspicious event has taken place and they should probably evacuate everyone and get security involved.

By the way, my family would have left immediately even if the CM didn't want to evacuate and I would have kept looking for someone who would listen and give me a decent response. The managers lack of contacting security is disconcerting at best. Hey, it may have all been nothing, but why take a chance when guest safety may be an issue?

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey brich! :wave: You asked for opinions, so don't get upset that people respond with their opinion even if it doesn't jive with yours. As your first post indicates, you wanted input, so we'll give it. (of course, I can see how the highlighted portion may have been construed as you want opinions on how the CMs reacted, not you. )



As for the situation, I have to say that I would have been highly suspicious also. I don't think I would have messed with the package, but would have approached a CM and said that a VERY suspicious event has taken place and they should probably evacuate everyone and get security involved.

By the way, my family would have left immediately even if the CM didn't want to evacuate and I would have kept looking for someone who would listen and give me a decent response. The managers lack of contacting security is disconcerting at best. Hey, it may have all been nothing, but why take a chance when guest safety may be an issue?

Well said!!!!!! Belle

 

[SpenceMan01]

I am agreeing with Belle, Brich, Laura, and company. It wasn't smart to move the package, but it was right to inform a CM. The CM, IMO, did NOT react appropriately (though I don't know Disney security procedures.) The CM and/or manager should have gotten security involved right away. I think Brich should bang out an email to Guest services, CC'ing Al Weiss, expressing his concern, but an e-mail to the press is not necessary. We don't need more bad press for WDW.

 

[Legacy]

Brich, the suspicion was appropriate; reporting it was appropriate; picking it up is arguable and my training is to not do so but I highly commend you for taking the initiative in the situation. For the most part you did the right thing... and no matter what the ditractors are saying here you should feel gratified in knowing that.

 

[brich]

Hey brich! :wave: You asked for opinions, so don't get upset that people respond with their opinion even if it doesn't jive with yours. As your first post indicates, you wanted input, so we'll give it. (of course, I can see how the highlighted portion may have been construed as you want opinions on how the CMs reacted, not you. )

Your right. Sorry if I'm sounding upset. I guess I assumed peeps would get that I was looking for opinions about how the CM/Manager handled my reporting of the situation and not so much how I handled it. I thought the tone of the original post would lead responses more toward their handling, not so much mine. Especially when I concluded on advice about pursuing with a letter to Disney or not. Yet again, I don't fully believe I'm getting upset with posts offering opinions about the situation I presented but rather the posts that focus solely on my actions. Then there's the personal attacks. That's just lame. Anyways, I know what I'll do next. Thanks to those who offered their opinions. No sense in dragging this on. Thanks wannab for the nudge to hush up already.

 

[Thrawn]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the fact that this probably happens dozens of times a week, if not a day. Bags left behind, etc. I mean, I know on BTMR, for instance, there is the spot next to the train where everyone leaves their bags so they don't fall out of the train. This isn't much different.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Thrawn, we rarely agree..... but thats a damm good point.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Brich, the suspicion was appropriate; reporting it was appropriate; picking it up is arguable and my training is to not do so but I highly commend you for taking the initiative in the situation. For the most part you did the right thing... and no matter what the ditractors are saying here you should feel gratified in knowing that.

Im all for being suspiscious and reporting those suspisions... but keeping one's head and remaining calm and not blowing things out of prorportion helps as well.

Calling this a security breach when in fact it was merely an unattended bag isnt any different when a reporter friend of mine accidently left something on the curb outside the white house..... Its an unattended bag. Only in his case, the entire press corps laughed their at him... That wasnt a break of security and neither was this one.

And Folks, Chicken Little starts this Friday.... :wave:

 

[wdwfanaustria]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the fact that this probably happens dozens of times a week, if not a day. Bags left behind, etc. I mean, I know on BTMR, for instance, there is the spot next to the train where everyone leaves their bags so they don't fall out of the train. This isn't much different.

In my opinion it is different. Have you seen anyone leave a bag and run away before they actually were on the ride?

 

[Debbie]

As for the situation, I have to say that I would have been highly suspicious also. I don't think I would have messed with the package, but would have approached a CM and said that a VERY suspicious event has taken place and they should probably evacuate everyone and get security involved.

By the way, my family would have left immediately even if the CM didn't want to evacuate and I would have kept looking for someone who would listen and give me a decent response. The managers lack of contacting security is disconcerting at best. Hey, it may have all been nothing, but why take a chance when guest safety may be an issue?

I agree with this.......being the child of a retired law enforcement officer; I have a habit of 'everyone's a suspect', always being aware of my surroundings. My family and I would have left immediately too, informed a CP (and mentally noted their name, just in case), and probably taken a walk somewhere else. Complacency is opportunity for the bad guys.

 

[SpongeScott]

Hey brich! :wave: You asked for opinions, so don't get upset that people respond with their opinion even if it doesn't jive with yours. As your first post indicates, you wanted input, so we'll give it. (of course, I can see how the highlighted portion may have been construed as you want opinions on how the CMs reacted, not you. )



As for the situation, I have to say that I would have been highly suspicious also. I don't think I would have messed with the package, but would have approached a CM and said that a VERY suspicious event has taken place and they should probably evacuate everyone and get security involved.

By the way, my family would have left immediately even if the CM didn't want to evacuate and I would have kept looking for someone who would listen and give me a decent response. The managers lack of contacting security is disconcerting at best. Hey, it may have all been nothing, but why take a chance when guest safety may be an issue?

I disagree with this. First, I doubt very seriously that I would have been suspicious of this. As someone posted earlier, why would be run out and call attention to himself if it was a bomb? And it has already been said that he could have run out for any number of reasons.

If I had been suspicious and had contacted a CM, calling for an immediate evacuation because of the package is not in the scope of my authority as a guest. I do believe that the CM's should be trained in what to do and evacuation may not be first on the list of things to do in order not to incite panic. If the room was 2/3rds of the way full and it had been a bomb, you wouldn't have gotten everyone out anyway by the time it had gone off if the bomber had ran from the building.

We can sit here and speculate what we would have done, what should have been done, and whether it was something harmful or not, but it all worked out okay. I just see many reasons as to why I wouldn't have done anything.

 

[wannab@dis]

I disagree with this. First, I doubt very seriously that I would have been suspicious of this. As someone posted earlier, why would be run out and call attention to himself if it was a bomb? And it has already been said that he could have run out for any number of reasons.

If I had been suspicious and had contacted a CM, calling for an immediate evacuation because of the package is not in the scope of my authority as a guest. I do believe that the CM's should be trained in what to do and evacuation may not be first on the list of things to do in order not to incite panic. If the room was 2/3rds of the way full and it had been a bomb, you wouldn't have gotten everyone out anyway by the time it had gone off if the bomber had ran from the building.

We can sit here and speculate what we would have done, what should have been done, and whether it was something harmful or not, but it all worked out okay. I just see many reasons as to why I wouldn't have done anything.

All good and valid points. I understand I don't have the authority to evacuate everyone, but pointing out that I think they should may show them how serious I take the situation. As I said, if they didn't, then I would leave.

You're right that if someone bolts out, that tends to lessen the "suspicious" nature of the incident, but it doesn't negate it. We can sit here and debate what should have been done and what we would do and it may be for naught, but it may help us to be more aware of our suroundings.

One big thing that we don't have to help our opinions is reading that guys body language. If he acted suspicious (which I assumed based on the OP) then his leaving a package behind and leaving is more alarming. If he's searching his pockets and has a look of surprise and rushes out, then he probably left his Disney rewards card at the shop he just left.

 

[brich]

Im all for being suspiscious and reporting those suspisions... but keeping one's head and remaining calm and not blowing things out of prorportion helps as well.

Calling this a security breach when in fact it was merely an unattended bag isnt any different when a reporter friend of mine accidently left something on the curb outside the white house..... Its an unattended bag. Only in his case, the entire press corps laughed their at him... That wasnt a break of security and neither was this one.

And Folks, Chicken Little starts this Friday.... :wave:

I may have ignored a bag that was sitting there unattended or simply brought it to a CM to place in Lost and Found. Had he been sitting and gotten up and walked away, I would have returned the bag to the man. Had he dropped it as he walked through the aisle and continued to walk, I would have picked it up and given it to him, just as I did when a women walked by my lunch table at Cosmic Rays and dropped a bag without knowing. Hard to ignore a man who leans down, places a bag under a seat and runs out of an attraction before it even starts. Therefore, I disagree that this was merely an unattended bag and more of a security issue.
Also, I was not freaking out. I was extremely calm, despite my heart racing. And I don't believe I blew anything out of proportion when reporting this to the CM. I expressed my concern. The only time I lose my head is around these forums. :lol:
And yes, can't wait to see Chicken Little. So long as no one leaves a bag under any seats and runs away...:lol:

 

[brich]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the fact that this probably happens dozens of times a week, if not a day. Bags left behind, etc. I mean, I know on BTMR, for instance, there is the spot next to the train where everyone leaves their bags so they don't fall out of the train. This isn't much different.

Agree, aside from the man running away. But then you have to ask, is this a safe practice? Just because nothing has happened yet doesn't mean it won't. I really don't want to come off as a paranoid, crazy person as someone previously insinuated,:lookaroun but at what point do we look at Disney's practice of allowing unattended packages with unknown contents to be stored within close proximity to attractions and lines of people, such as on BTMR? No, I don't have a solution, I'm only bringing attention to it. It just confuses me why unattended packages get so much attention anywhere else in this country, whether in airports, shopping malls, subways... yet at WDW, it's not a concern.:veryconfu
I still say WDW is a very safe place. But I'll never close my eyes to things that I feel could be a safety concern.

 

[wannab@dis]

It's not just WDW... it's all the theme parks that I've been to recently. Many rides have places to stash items before getting on a ride.

 

[Uponastar]

I think the important point here is CM reaction. It seems there is no specific plan in place for CMs to handle a package left suddenly in a crowded area. In today's world all bases should be covered. The way that guy entered and exited the area so quickly, leaving the package behind, certainly would have spooked me! I don't know how I would have handled it, but CMs should have training for handling all such situations. Unattended packages should always be treated as suspicious items until otherwise proven.

 

[brich]

One big thing that we don't have to help our opinions is reading that guys body language. If he acted suspicious (which I assumed based on the OP) then his leaving a package behind and leaving is more alarming. If he's searching his pockets and has a look of surprise and rushes out, then he probably left his Disney rewards card at the shop he just left.

Very true. I did the best I could in posting my story but some of these fine details would have become cumbersome in writing. Ya, he had a bowling jacket on and a baseball hat pulled down low over his eyes... He came down the aisle alone to the end seats of an aisle, didn't appear that he was with anybody. He did nothing more than lean down, place the bag under the seat on the floor, stand up and run. Didn't look around, just darted. It is interesting the more we hash through this that we can derive more and more theories and more opinions but the key points here are my reaction to the situation, the perceived threat, in my eyes at that time. How I presented my perception of the situation to the CM, and, as an authority of the theater, how the CM treated the situation as I presented it to him. A spur of the moment situation does not alot time for a full description to the CM. The whole idea here is, given the imformation (however little) I presented to the CM, did the CM do the best thing. Some say yes, some say no. Had a device gone off, not only would I not have been able to post this story, but I have a hunch different security measures may have been implemented after the fact.

 

[brich]

It's not just WDW... it's all the theme parks that I've been to recently. Many rides have places to stash items before getting on a ride.

Oh I agree here too... BUT, do any of us ever place WDW in the same folder as "all theme parks"?
My experience was at WDW. A place I just expect to be on top of things, more so since 9/11. Just like many of us expect a little more from Disney than we do from say a 6 Flags. Disney has always provided a notch above the rest. Had I had this experience at Universal, I would also have been concerned and reported this. But I guess I wouldn't have been as surprised with the response.

 

[Timmay]

First off, I don't believe Brich called it a "Security Breach". ( I haven't gone back to read all of his posts, so I could be wrong). The title clearly says "Security Breach at WDW?" The ? kinda leads me to believe he was asking a question.

Second, having bags and items left in an area near a ride because they can't be taken on the ride is in fact a lot different than someone walking into a theater, sitting a package down, then bolting out of the area. Would have sure worried me. Nor do I believe this lessons the suspiciousness (is that a word, I wonder) of the matter. For a moment, let's assume this person meant ill will. We have no way of knowing his mindset, how much training he may have received, whether he is having second thoughts or not. Maybe he just freaked out at the most important moment and had to get out of there.

Final thought. There was no over reaction here at all. Brich felt there was reason to act. It was his perception. He knows it probably wasn't the best choice to move the package, but he acted. I would have acted also if I had seen what he describes. I am not going to sit there for five minutes and wonder what the legitimate reasons are this man did what he did. We had all better realize that as normal every day citizens, we have to become much more aware of our surroundings and what other people are doing. Only bad can happen when we are complacent and fail to report something we find suspicious.