CT State Police, Local Movie Theaters Evaluate Security in Wake of Colo. Shooting

In the wake of a horrific shooting during a midnight screening of the latest Batman movie at a Colorado theater, the Connecticut State Police will be making regular checks on facilities today where people gather in mass.

“We’ll certainly increase our frequency, let’s put it that way,” said Lt. J. Paul Vance, Connecticut State Police spokesman. “We’ll be visible and we’ll make additional checks of areas and large facilities where people converge.”

Vance said the state police are monitoring the news reports surrounding events of the Aurora, Colo., shooting, with happened early Friday morning. Because of the public concern over the incident, the state police will make themselves visible as a precaution, the spokesman said.

A gunman reportedly walked into the theater and unleashed a tear gas-type substance as movie goers were watching a screening of “Batman: The Dark Knight Rises.” The heavily armed suspect then opened fire at the crowded theatre, reportedly killing 12 people and injury 38.

The Huffington Post has identified the suspect as 24-year-old James Holmes. He was later caught outside the theater.

Locally, the Rave Motion Pictures Theater Southington 12 will evaluate the "security it has in place" and whether it is "necessary to increase safety measures," according to Danny DiGiacomo, marketing director with Rave Cinemas.

"We will provide them with additional support and resources if they need them,” he said, adding that a similar evaluation is being conducted at all Rave theaters across the country.  

“We are incredibly saddened by the shooting in Colorado. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. We take security very seriously and will continue to make every effort to ensure that our moviegoers are safe when they visit our theaters," DiGiacomo said in a news release.

As tragic as the event was, Vance noted that this shouldn’t cause panic in the minds of the public. But in an interest of public safety, state police patrol cars will make regular checks on facilities where people gather in mass.

“But we also want people to understand that they should be vigilant and observant,” Vance said. “Some of the basic common sense measures when they go into a facility that holds many people know where the exits are.”

And, as always, if a person sees something suspicious, they should report it to the proper authorities, he said.

“We will do our part being visible and making periodic checks,” he said.

The New York Police Department has implemented a similar security boost earlier today, when Commissioner Ray Kelly said there would be more officers at movie theaters as a precaution against copycats and to raise movie goers’ comfort levels, .