Security at Dragon*Con 2011

[m-cubicle.livejournal.com]

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?

Comments

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

It's possible, I suppose. I could see if my friend still has the email she sent to the PTB. PM me for contact info.

[ringwraith10.livejournal.com]

My thoughts were really more that perhaps you could create a separate post in the community addressing the issues that you brought up here, and explaining to everyone how to send an email to the PTB. :) Of course, if that's intimidating, you don't have to do it. Just a suggestion. :)

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

We already put up a post a while back addressing all of this, and this one did a pretty good job of fleshing it out too.

I don't want to be responsible for, nor suggest that people flood the PTB with emails. I don't think that is a good way to get ourselves heard. I feel that would just be counterproductive by making them angry with the spamming.

I'm not intimidated. I am more than willing to speak my mind and bluntly. That said, I would point people towards the D*C website to find the contact list and recommend a polite and respectful email/phone call/letter with real suggestions on how to fix the issue. That was what we did but I will tell you that we never got a response. It is my opinion that the PTB connected with security do not have their fingers on the pulse of the attendees for whatever reason. From here it seems like neglect and a lack of concern. We also made that known politely and respectfully, but again...no response.

Best of luck whatever you choose!