Security at Dragon*Con 2011
May. 24th, 2011 05:03 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
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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
Date: 2011-05-25 11:16 pm (UTC)I still say we all take a moment out of our con going time to find the security head and speak out peace in person this year.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-25 11:22 pm (UTC)I'll confess, the reason I don't volunteer is because my time is too valuable for what they ask and what they give. I'd rather pay half the ticket price (bought on site the previous year) and enjoy myself. (Seriously, if memory serves, first time volunteers *still* have to buy a badge, just at a reduced rate. For reals???)
But a revamped system that either didn't ask for as much of a commitment, and/or offered some sort of compensation would be something I would seriously consider.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-25 11:26 pm (UTC)They turn away these suggestions then cry their excuse of "Don't think it's enough?! Then volunteer!" And yeah, why volunteer away 24 hours of your con if you aren't going to be compensated for missing that much of it?
no subject
Date: 2011-05-25 11:31 pm (UTC)Someone once suggested reserving a section in each ballroom toward the front for "off duty" volunteers. So basically, if you want to see a star, and you did the right thing by volunteering, there's an added benefit to you by having a reserved section (maybe just a couple of rows, first come, first serve) available. Just something small like that might be enough (coupled with a smaller commitment) to get people to sign up who might not choose to, otherwise.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-25 11:34 pm (UTC)Food vouchers at the hotel restaurants. Bar vouchers. A free D*C tshirt. What you suggested, or how about the meet and greet party that costs so much?
Anything!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-22 08:24 am (UTC)As for talking to the director of Security /at/ the Show, no offense, but that's not a wise idea, unless there is a current problem going on. That individual is insanely busy.