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Security at Dragon*Con 2011

EDIT: With the great response this post is getting, let's try and make something happen here. Send Dragon*con security any ideas you may have in ways to improve security for the 2011 show. Go to the contact security form through the D*Con web page. Get as many people as you can to do the same. Pass the word along. Select "security" from the drop down menu. The hotels and Dragon*con MUST agree to start checking badges or room keys at the hotel entrances  to keep the non-con goers out.  Why should we pay and others not?!

dragoncon.org/dc_contact.php

Since it doesn't seem like anyone has addressed this issue for D*Con 2011 recently, I will go ahead and put it on the table.

As I'm sure many others noticed, last year there were several security concerns during the convention. I remember reading all the different posts of women being accosted and "felt up" by individuals who had no badge and nothing to do with the convention itself. Letters were mailed to the hotel and complaints filed. Since then, it has all gone quiet.... Has anything been done by the hotel or Dragon*Con to alleviate this problem? Or, are the powers that be just hoping we would all forget about it and just deal for next year?

I have noticed every year the convention getting more and more filled with people who have come to the hotels thinking they would be getting a free "freaks on parade" show. Individuals include: Football fans, nearby college students, and random people off the street hoping to get a free good time at the expense of those who paid to be there. It's not the same convention it was 5 years ago, the con is changing and not for the good.

Before I go dumping more hard earned money on a convention that is already getting ridiculously priced, are any of these issues going to be addressed? What is to keep random grabby pervs away from my girlfriend or friends? With everything getting expensive these days, I need some re-assurances that this will be a safe convention and the money will be well spent. I wonder what the ratio is of people who just wander in off the streets is, to those who actually paid for a badge?

Re: Expectations need to be managed.

[identity profile] littledrow.livejournal.com 2011-05-25 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
It was myself and my roommate, but the idea never panned because nobody at the D*C PTB would ever return an email. EVER.

IMO that is an outrage that they aren't even doing their job by at least replying to concerns and saying "Oh hey you need to talk to so and so, here is their contact info, thanks for being interested in making the con experience better for everyone". Nope. Just nothing.

Re: Expectations need to be managed.

[identity profile] elvishtard.livejournal.com 2011-05-25 01:44 pm (UTC)(link)
And THIS is the main reason [livejournal.com profile] m_cubicle started this.

Why aren't the people bringing in all the money, being heard? This is rude. Those of us who've been going, giving Dragon*con truckloads of money, for years on end, can't have questions answered or suggestions that see the light of day???

It's an ever-so-slight outrage.

Re: Expectations need to be managed.

[identity profile] littledrow.livejournal.com 2011-05-25 01:46 pm (UTC)(link)
It is, isn't it? If we can't do anything about this year, why not make an agreement to say something directly to the PTB AT the con when we get there....each one of us that has a complaint. They're a captive audience there aren't they? They can't get rid of our voice by clicking Delete there.