ext_242533 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
m-cubicle.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
dragoncon_lj_archive2011-05-24 05:03 pm
m-cubicle.livejournal.com) wrote in dragoncon_lj_archive2011-05-24 05:03 pm
Entry tags:
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?
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?
no subject
I can say this much. The "Backup" ribbon campaign is not something that Dragon*Con can "officially endorse" regardless of my own personal feelings regarding fans at our convention helping one another.
I can say that if there are any of these problems at my hotel (The MMO track will be in the Sheraton this year) and you can't find someone from hotel security or Dragon*Con's security staff, you are welcome to come by the Savannah room (our track room) and grab one of my guys. We're happy to help in any way we can.
Some other helpful tips...
There is almost ALWAYS someone from Security near a ballroom entrance.
Any Dragon*Con staff member can help you if you need it, we have radios and cell phones, and we can whistle up security folks in a hurry if we have to.
If someone is harassing you and has a badge, GET THE NAME! Even if it is just the "badge name", it makes it very easy for the police to go after someone if they know exactly who they are going after. If you've got a camera phone, get a picture of the guy. (yeah, unrealistic in most circumstances, I know... but anything that can be used to point police at the guy later is damned nice to have.)
Be smart, move around with friends, and don't be afraid to "raise a ruckus" if someone starts getting a little "handy".
--------
One last aside. I want everyone to have a good time at Dragon*Con, really I do, but all the security in the world can't keep you safe if you don't use your head. Any time we get 40,000 people together in one space, there are going to be some "bad guys" who try to ruin someone else's fun. Be smart. Understand that most folks at a place like Dragon*Con are only too willing to lend help to someone who needs it. If you are in a position to help someone else, do it. Even if it is just sounding the alarm so that more help can show up.