Safety and volunteers for next year

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

I originally posted this as a comment on this post: http://community.livejournal.com/dragoncon/2542632.html

Since then I emailed several people at Dragoncon and my emails are being forwarded to the Security department and to the Convention Operations Director. I am sending along some of the ideas from below in hopes of putting together an actual sanctioned by D*C safety crew but some of us think that if that doesn't happen then there are still ways that we can all help out next year.

Here is the idea:

Ideally in a perfect world the best solution would be more police or official security but that costs money and might not be something they'll implement.

Comicon has a volunteer program where you do 3 hour shifts, one each day you're there and you get a special t-shirt only available to the volunteers. If you successfully do all your assignments then you get special access to an event the next year that others don't.

If we offered something like a discount on your ticket, the shirt and the access the next year along with the shorter shifts (I was told DragonCon volunteer security was 25 hours mandatory over the weekend which probably scares a lot of people off) you could get a whole squad of people to help out.

Now they wouldn't be full on security with the ability to kick someone out or manhandle them into submission probably but what you could have is a large group of people in very bright and obvious shirts (Say Neon orange with a huge DRAGON CON SAFETY VOLUNTEER logo) that let you know they are the DragonCon brute squad and they have a radio. They could be escorts from one hotel to another on the street level. They could be the people that you know to look for in a crowd if someone is being hassled who could instantly radio for the off duty police or other security. They are the people that could come and stand with someone who is feeling threatened and waiting for someone to come from their room or another hotel.

For people who aren't there all the days of the Con but would still like to help they could have a meeting every morning to train people in how to use the radio, where to meet up for their shift, get a map of the grounds and hotels etc. That way there isn't the hassle to try to attend a pre con meeting that is a pretty far trip for everyone that doesn't live in Atlanta.

I happen to know at least one very large man who would do jump at the chance to do this after the things being reported this year. And if we could sprinkle a lot more bodies out there to move people along and be there for someone to run/yell for when there's a problem it would probably help. And since they are there looking for trouble it's a lot more likely they could take a photo with a phone or something for the police than the person who is just trying to get away from a dangerous situation.

Just something to think about.

If no one will sanction it for being affiliated with the con there are still ways we can help out. Volunteer escorts to other hotels etc could be arranged pretty easily and we will come up with other ideas as needed.

I will let you know what kind of answers I get back from talking to people affiliated with the con. Thanks.

Comments

[datavortex.livejournal.com]

Thanks for taking the initiative here!

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

Yeah I suspect it was kind of crazy of me :)

[peacelovefandom.livejournal.com]

I think this is a GREAT idea actually.

I'm of the opinion that ALL Dragon*Con staff should be wearing a distinctive brightly colored shirt for easy recognition, whether security or not. PAX and SWCV both did this and it was of great help in identifying the volunteers/staff in a crowd.

[nyreak.livejournal.com]

Agreed. The purple staff lanyards are helpful, but only if you're close enough to the person to see they had one on. A neon yellow or bright red or whatever other brightly colored shirt would help a great deal if you're looking around for someone from across a room or in a crowd.

[dreadnot.livejournal.com]

I'd be on for a couple of three hour shifts. You'd be surprised how well Mom Voice works on a wide array of idiots.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

lol actually I use that voice on the trainees at work who are all very young and easily distracted. It works GREAT!

[jarissa.livejournal.com]

I love you for doing this, cousin, more than words can express. I'm going to repeat your idea to the men and women in my gaming group who love D*C but don't love LiveJournal, or the idea of "ordinary" volunteering, or whatever. They're mostly the sort of people who hear the sounds of trouble and run toward it instead of away.

And who doesn't love Fezzik?

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

He IS the Brute Squad!!

Speaking of...if we could get the huge but awesome man in the Darth Vader costume in on this, it'd be great!

[feuervogel]

http://backupproject.org/

Publicize it among congoers. Get badge ribbons & stickers, and make them easily available.

(In addition to other things. But this should definitely be included, as well as the con making an official anti-harassment policy.)

[zanylikethat.livejournal.com]

I was just coming in to suggest this! I am all for this idea. I would LOVE to have a ribbon or sticker or something on my badge to let other ladies (or even dudes!) know that they can totally catch my attention and I'll come help them out. We all get rambunctious and drunk and the way I am with some of my friends if someone didn't know me, they might worry but there's no reason, and I believe many other people have the same situation, so we often don't step in because we're trying to be respectful. Set it up so that we indicate that people should absolutely flag us down, and I bet people will.

Also, I offer full-service coaching in high school teacher voice/carriage for anyone who wants it. It's amazing how quickly you can wither someone with that. ;)

[halafax.livejournal.com]

Great idea. but from what I hear from various people on staff D*C staff has like 25 radios tops. Most of them are not that great range wise.
Still if this comes to fruition Ill help. I have too many friends who go to con who are female and to be honest nothing like this should happen to anyone.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

yeah the lack of radios was one thing we were thinking of. If nothing else you have people teamed up so that one person can stay and one can run for security etc. There's lots of things to work out that we haven't even begun to think of yet I'm sure.

At the very least the idea of people who can escort lone guests to their rooms or have a set group to guide people to and from the Westin and off site places you have to go by street is a nice one.

My 2 cents worth...

[dmedicus.livejournal.com]

I worked security/medical side of the con two years ago and yes, they don't have enough people. This con to me this year, and I didn't volunteer, seemed to flow more smoothly then the last couple of years. I have heard all the comments about people being "assaulted" by non-con goers but no matter how much security you put in place, it is going to happen. Yes things happen at a Con.

But as far as you advise, it is good, very good. The only thing I don't like is the term "Brute Squad." I like the ideas of different color shirts so you can tell who is staff and who isn't.

I would also like to see it set up to were you couldn't even get in the hotel unless you were at the Con, or staying there. This would really cut down on the "gawkers".

But just my two cents worth...

Re: My 2 cents worth...

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

"Brute Squad" is used very loosely if only to get across an idea of what is being presented. The "BS" *ahem* or "Safety Patrol" would not be allowed to touch, not allowed to engage, they are more like a wandering safe haven of two or more people who would assist, witness, photograph and summon the proper security/authorities...not necessarily in that order.

[oriencor.livejournal.com]

I'd totally sign up for it.

I've lived in big cities by bad parts of town and sort of have a predilection of sticking my nose into situations like what I've heard described.

As a woman, I feel it'd be a help.. it's not always the big guys that are scary!

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

we are equal opportunity for volunteers when this comes about. Especially if we stick with the idea of teams of 2 then there's tons of backup

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

This is a good idea! Especially if:

- there is a short guidelines/training session for the volunteers
-hotel staff are aware of who they are/what the shirts mean, so they're able to respond if someone on the safety help squad (or whatever you call it) needs assistance from security or for someone to call police.

I'd be happy to volunteer, actually. I'm not a guy but really, the presence of people obviously looking out for other folks would be sufficient in many cases, I think.

Incentive: priority badge line.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

yeah easy to get badges would be a HUGE incentive after this year lol.

Part of the idea also is that more obvious bodies that are official might make some people less likely to try to harrass/assault someone. Easy to spot shirts and if Dragon Con goes for it they can put spots on D*C tv so people know what the shirts mean. It's my experience that the more obvious security or safety zones there are the less problems there are simply because they're more worried about getting caught.

[explodingalice.livejournal.com]

I'd volunteer for this in a heartbeat.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

I'm finding a lot of people would love to volunteer so obviously we've got a good idea brewing here

[hound176.livejournal.com]

Even if the idea is not enacted for next year and on out, increased vigilance by con goers looking out for each other will always be appreciated. Given the buffoonery that happened this year, people will be more alert from now on.

Hell, when I go back in 2012 (taking 2011 off for personal reasons, nothing con related) I plan on cutting back on my drinking and keeping an eye out for my companions and for anything else that could be the start of trouble. Spot anything, then I'll be reporting it immediately.

The more we look out for each other, the better! :D

On a similar note

[paidiraiompair.livejournal.com]

Last year, I was speaking with someone (Though I can't remember his name) about having elevator operators on selected elevators, (and times). I worked many years for America's Mart as an operator, a very similar sort of situation as con, especially during the huge MARTS they have twice a year. I explained how we were a big part of keeping traffic control, moving people twice as fast (they're stats) as without us. There really is an art to it, and I offered to train a small volunteer force. It would help patrol the flow and making sure folks don't ride up and down endlessly, helping handicap folks and drunks alike (yes, that was an issue at MART too, as vendors passed it out like candy:) and be an extra set of eyes for security.
If anyone in interested in talking about it again, I'd be happy to offer my services. This was my 24th con, an old vet who also used to work Fantasy Fair,Dixie Trek and even Opus Con. Pat Henry might not reconize me, but I used to work for him and Titan long ago. I have a huge sentimental place in my heart for DCon and want to be part of the solution.

Re: On a similar note

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

If I get contact with the director or other people my email was forwarded to (or if I bug them all again next week for not getting back to me lol) I will put this idea out to them as well.

[dunegate.livejournal.com]

A friend and I were discussing this and we thought group of con-goers that would be easily identifiable. Our idea was to see if the 501st would be willing to "patrol" the main gathering areas where a lot of the problems take place. What non-con goers and some con goers would not feel a little scared if being approached by a couple stormtroopers asking if there is a problem.

[multi-lingua.livejournal.com]

The big problem is that the con is completely understaffed as is. There were people keeping non convention goers out of the hotels. I saw several people get stopped on the skywalks throughout the nights. They always do their best to lock off the hotels from people without room keys or badges after 8 or 9. Those problem people likely had room keys. If more people would volunteer for security then they might be able to lock it down better. It's only 25 hours over the entire weekend for a free pass. It's really not that bad. I've volunteered for 11 years and haven't missed out on anything I wanted to do.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

and if you're willing to do 25 hours and can that's wonderful! But not everyone can commit to that as they can't always be there all of the days. Like this year I got there late Thursday and had to leave by noon on Sunday that would have put me with two 12 hour shifts on Friday and Saturday to fill my obligation. Not really a good option if I wanted to see any panels or anything.

[xylii.livejournal.com]

For outside, how about some signposts just outside each hotel entrance to provide a place to gather according to where someone is going. Just a sign with the destination in large letters, invitation to hang around this sign if you want to until others heading your way gather to be safe in numbers, and a map with directions to help people find where they are going.

In the convention areas, we should look out for each other. Do you think you see someone looking threatened, take a picture than ask if there is a problem. That way you have proof if there is and you can just delete it if there is none. Better to have to explain your error than have someone hurt.

If you feel a little uncomfortable with someone or some group, look around and if you can’t find anyone official, just stay close to the nearest group with con badges. There is safety in numbers even among strangers. Ask if you need help, they will understand.

As far as a safe area, how about the 10th floor of the Marriott Marquis as a con badge only area? Already used by several groups and no “just passing through” traffic.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

Signs are good but they can be defaced or taken away. We'd have to check the signage rules for Atlanta and the hotel as well but that's not difficult.

There are absolutely lots of ways we can keep watching out for each other and should! I'd rather walk up to someone who's maybe playing around and making sure they are okay instead of assuming they are even if it's gotten me complete scorn most of the time from the people involved.

We're definitely not presenting this as the only option and the better aware everyone was that there was a problem the less there should be a problem this year.

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

Given how stories of harassment have spread on the internet, I think many con-goers would gladly donate a little volunteering time to protecting their fellow geeks. I think you hit on 2 key points here: short shifts and some kind of other incentive. We can't have everyone getting in some quick badge pickup line though, and not everyone is going to have to same the same free time slots. So there may need to be some brainstorming in terms of how to motivate, and coordinate such a large volunteer force.

In addition, I think the con should officially send some kind of message out to future attendees to warn them of such possible scenarios they could encounter, and encourage us to travel in groups. I'm very thankful my girlfriend, a first time attendee this year, was constantly around myself and 2-3 of my guy friends. I know not everyone can have that, but we now we have more reason to invite friends and try to get them to come. Or at least maybe make new friends on forums or meet up at the con, so you can feel safer traveling in a larger group.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

most definitely on the con doing something official. It should be on the website and with all the materials that go out with a policy on behavior and harrassment and that this will not be tolerated. I still think little spots on D*C tv would be great but then they don't hit the overflow hotels from what I was hearing.

[encarmencita.livejournal.com]

I just want to give my support for this idea and say that if I only had to volunteer a few hours instead of 25 it would be much easier to agree to.

Also, I must say that complete strangers have looked out for my interests at DragonCon, whether asking if I needed help when I appeared lost, checking to make sure someone talking to me while I was trying to get to a panel or something wasn't harassing me, or people grazing me in the elevator apologizing for getting in my personal space and seeing that others respected my space as well.

DragonCon is comprised of a population of generous and compassionate people, for the most part. :) The responses her are proof of that and it's what I've experienced for years.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

oh yeah there was a lot of people who totally helped out. I had a pair of guys help me with the elevator to make sure I actually got on one and that people left me along. They were wonderful!

[thdrgngrl.livejournal.com]

Hell, I wish there were some incentives for volunteering a smaller amount of time- I -love- working sec, but I'm hypoglycemic, and I really -cannot- sit off in a corner by myself with no back up for 5+ hour shifts at a time, esp with no way to get food, and the only way to meet the quota hours is to go huge shifts every day..and once you're on the floor theres no telling when you get to go back, no matter what shift you're signed up for, cause they're just so understaffed.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

Exactly we were hoping it would open it up to more people with reasons to keep them from doing longer shifts. I would love to volunteer but most years I can't be there from open to close so doing 25 hours over 2 days would really eat into my time to see and do things! But I would still love to do it!

There's no reason it has to be a free entry for the shorter shifts but there's still incentives - like most of us are good people who want to make sure all the other good people there are safe!

[raidingparty.livejournal.com]

Thank you for being a good citizen!
... I realize that's easy to take as sarcasm, but we have a geek culture, we're part of this community, and I'm genuinely grateful that you're pushing a way to protect our own in an environment that obviously needs protecting, after recent signs.

I was sort of thinking of putting a mass post together, but I didn't know where to start. I'd definitely join this effort, and also like the ideas of both Thursday seminars and DCTV bumpers for "crowd control", "respect", and "staying safe". Asking for help and staying in groups are definitely up there.

[tomreedtoon.livejournal.com]

For the last year I've worked at Universal Orlando, and my first assignment was last year's Halloween Horror Nights. In a sense it is like Dragon*Con; there are large crowds, alcohol and unusual surroundings.

The "official" security for the event comes from the company's security personnel, paired with local police officers specifically hired for the event. Obviously this is far too expensive for Dragon*Con to implement.

But everyone working the event, even the sweepers and queue tenders, know what to do when a security problem comes up. They know where the security people are in their area and can go to them if there are signs of a problem. These people do not enter into fights or try to break them up: that's the job of security. They report and watch, and try to keep bystanders from getting near the fight and getting injured.

The ordinary staff are also asked to fill out witness statements about any wrongdoing; this enables legal action, usually involving a trespass warrant against the wrongdoer, which lasts one year from the date of the infraction. This essentially keeps the person out of next year's event as well.

Moon Lady, thank you for starting some serious thought about security, and doing it almost a year away from the next convention. I hope Dragon*Con takes this and all the serious suggestions and starts working on a plan to implement next year.

Security's POV

[gabstaff.livejournal.com]

I want everyone who has responded to this thread to actually come volunteer, including the poster. Please!

What makes you all think we have not thought of all of these ideas?? And you know what will make these ideas a success??? People!!! We need volunteers!!

We had over 200 badges for Security....and guess how many actually showed up to volunteer? 97

We work the long hours because no one else is willing to work the basic 25, so everyone has to pick up the slack.

Re: Security's POV

[dreadnot.livejournal.com]

I would be pleased to volunteer, but not for 25 hours, not even for free admission to what's left of the con. I would be pleased to volunteer for 3-6 hours and receive nothing more than a lanyard or temporary use of a reflective vest, but I am not shelling out the $$$ to fly from California to Atlanta, pay for a hotel, and all of the other incidental expenses in order to give Dragon*Con 25 hours of my weekend.

Sorry, ain't happening.

So, when I can give the con 3-6 hours of my time, I'll be in line to do so along with a whole lot of other people.

[archersangel.livejournal.com]

anime-expo has colored vests for different staff/volunteers. (vest might be a better idea as they can be left open if they don't fit right) they also have you volunteer 4 hours for one day if you want. that gets you a badge for the next day. (ex: work 4 hours friday & get a saturday badge) also to get the full 4 days you only need to work 22 instead of the 25 dragon-con requires,
http://www.anime-expo.org/registration/staffing/

imagine how many more volunteers d-con could have if they had an option to work 4, 8 or 12 hours instead of the 25 over the 4 days.

[acciochocolate.livejournal.com]

These are great ideas! Please write to the D*C office with them.

[mllesays.livejournal.com]

Can you give us an email address to write to, so we can all support this idea? Perhaps if they hear from lots of people who all agree this is a good plan, they will be more likely to act on it.

[moonanstars.livejournal.com]

The only contact I have so far was the organizer of the volunteers. I was forwarded to the security and chairperson but have not received replies.

For now maybe you could email the security and general email through the website here: http://www.dragoncon.org/dc_contact.php

Reference them back to this post in the email and let them know you support action being taken to make con goers more secure this year. You can include my email for them if you want to private message me for it.

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

Not sure if this was mentioned as someone to complain to down LSU way, but my brother suggested we complain to the head of Alumni services as well.

Just a thought.

[lethlogica.livejournal.com]

I'm interested in being a short-term, one-or-two-shift pair of eyes for security. I'm not interested in working 25 hours (again). I personally don't care about a teeshirt, though I wouldn't pass up a voucher or coupon for a coffee. (Or - hey - here's a thought: some kind of priority in next year's pre-registration line, or a special line to go through that would go faster!! Wow, that would bring out the volunteers.)

I'm planning on going to the Cruxshadows concert - I'll be perfectly willing to help with escort duties between hotels after that, or working the elevators.

But - yeah - there's no way I'm working full-on security again. Last time I did, my shifts stretched out and out and out; and even so, 25 hours versus $70 or even $100? That's $2 an hour - and the amount of time being asked is too much for me, esp. if I'm spending $500 to fly across the continent, then another couple hundred for the hotel room and food. No way.

That said - will I help out for one or two short shifts? To help out "my tribe", the geeks? Abso-frakin-lutely.

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

You aren't the only person who feels this way. Stay tuned.