Theme parks: Is tighter security tight enough?

[SteveUK]

I would assume it would be due to the HUGE amount of legislation and legal arrangements necessary to assign any form of authority to a 'force'. The huge amount of cost, paperwork and legal issues would seem to me to outweigh the 'inconvenience' and delay of just calling in a unit from the nearest outside force. Can you imagine the negative publicity for what is still an entertainment company if they arrested and prosecuted people?

 

[WDFAN1977]

I am in the middle on the issue of theme park security. On one hand I would like to see, at the least, metal detectors at the front of WDW parks. I know that this would cause major lines getting into the parks, but at least we would be alittle safer. On the other hand I feel airport style security would take away from the magic and the escape from reality that WDW provides. Also, I really feel that most terrorist activity is aimed toward hurting financial structures/ institutes. I know that WDW brings in tons of money but, to me, it doesn't fit the typically profile of a terrorist attack sight.

 

[mkt]

I would assume it would be due to the HUGE amount of legislation and legal arrangements necessary to assign any form of authority to a 'force'. The huge amount of cost, paperwork and legal issues would seem to me to outweigh the 'inconvenience' and delay of just calling in a unit from the nearest outside force. Can you imagine the negative publicity for what is still an entertainment company if they arrested and prosecuted people?

I just don't think Disney wants the liability of having its own private police. I feel that perhaps giving OCSO Sector 6 (ie- WDW) a different patch, if not a different uniform, at least would set them aside.

 

[mkt]

I think it would be a safe assumption that Disney Security has the exact same authority as any other security officer in the state of Florida. I am sure it is policy from Disney that limits what it's security force does, not state law. ( There are obvious restrictions as to what a private citizen ,aka security officer, can do per the law. I am just saying that Disney policy is probably much more restritive than the state law.)

Disney's security guards aren't licensed by the State of Florida... which is legally fine, since they work directly for the company they do guard work for and not an agency.

 

[niteobsrvr]

I just don't think Disney wants the liability of having its own private police. I feel that perhaps giving OCSO Sector 6 (ie- WDW) a different patch, if not a different uniform, at least would set them aside.

There are many events handled at the parks each day from a security standpoint that Disney does not want to have becoe part of the public record. If the park security forces were instead a police force in the same manner as a sherriffs department, any and all events and investigations would be available for public and more importantly news agency scrutiny.

This alone is possibly the single biggest concern for a company like Disney when addressing how best to handle public safety and security at its establishments.

 

[barnum42]

Just as you can't guarantee a thief will not take a car, you will not be able to guarantee a bomb can not be set off anywhere.

Terrorism is still a relatively new experience for Americans. Many people in other parts of the world sadly got used to it. When the Irish terrorists were going full tilt they would set bombs off any place from take alway restaurants to train stations.

To clamp down all areas public congregate is impractical, especially given that these are now brain washed religious nut-jobs unafraid to die. The sad truth is that you either barricade yourself at home and never go out or continue life as best you can.

 

[niteobsrvr]

Just as you can't guarantee a thief will not take a car, you will not be able to guarantee a bomb can not be set off anywhere.

Terrorism is still a relatively new experience for Americans. Many people in other parts of the world sadly got used to it. When the Irish terrorists were going full tilt they would set bombs off any place from take alway restaurants to train stations.

To clamp down all areas public congregate is impractical, especially given that these are now brain washed religious nut-jobs unafraid to die. The sad truth is that you either barricade yourself at home and never go out or continue life as best you can.

Exactly. There are bigger holes in our national security that need to be plugged before we start blocking the gates of Walt Disney World with metal detectors.

 

[Since1976]

Just after 9/11, a tape surfaced that was recorded by terrorist operatives posing as tourists. They had videotaped several locations, including the WTC and the castle at MK. When I saw that, it sent chills up and down my spine. However, I figured that the terrorists must have scratched WDW off their list, because they certainly realized that attacking a place full of families and children would just be unforgivably monstrous.

My opinion on the matter changed after that situation in Russia, where many school children died. True, it was a different group of terrorists, but the event was a reminder that there is no limit to the acts that fanatics are willing to perform.

I agree that security at WDW is not going to stop a terrorist. Does that concern me enough to not go to WDW? No. After all, the mere threat -- the fear -- is what emboldens terrorists, and I'm not going to give them that satisfaction.

 

[Timmay]

Yeah, I see your point, but I'm still not sure what your argument is. I was pointing out that any private security force is limited in its powers in terms of searching, detention and enforcement. I am including WDW security in this and suggesting that they do not have as much authority and 'power' as people seem to think. They are severely limited in terms of detention and arrest powers. This is the point I am making. I have no comment to make on the other security forces in Florida, and as such would not argue with your assertion about them. I am simply making a comment on the limitations of WDW security and bringing into question their effectiveness in terms of public protection in light of these limitations.

My arguement (which I guess I didn't really state, looking back now) is that the Disney security does have real power in the things you said they don't, assuming the law in the sate of Florida is similar to states I am familiar with.

Searches: Easy enough...submit to a search or you are denied access to the property and if you do not leave you are trespassing.

Detention: Security, like any other citizen, has the right to detain a person they have witnessed commit a crime.

Enforcement: I am not sure what you mean by this…see above.

Now, the real question is not what authority they have, but what Disney policy will allow them to do.

 

[SteveUK]

I understand your points as above. You are right, they can search people as they have consent, and I understand the issue about detaining people after a crime.

My thoughts are about how they can prevent/deal with an incident posing a risk of harm to the public? Can they shoot somebody posing a risk to other guests? If so, what level of risk would be necessary? On whose authority is that decision made? Would they want the liability and publicity of such situations? I doubt it - I would suspect that in such a situation, they would call for and expect a response from outside agencies. If this is the case, then they are preventing situations in terms of screening for potential weapons and dangerous people. I just have to wonder how thorough this screening process can feasibly be however.