Security & Safety

[Nora]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

You cannot carry the swords or dangerous weapons in the park after you purchase them. I recall that if any purchase of these items (including the plastic guns and toy bow an arrows at Trading Post), the items had to be sent to package pick-up or a team member (usually the store supervisor) had to escort you out of the park and had the purchase to them once outside the turnstiles.

 

[DrMoneyReturns]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

I'd imagine the reason you can't wear costumes during HoS is so you can't pretend to work there and cause problems.

But it would also seem to me that Spiderman costumes wouldn't cause this type of confusion.

 

[chickenking]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

I'm going to wear my Peter Parker Emo suit.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

The costume rule stems from liability and safety issues. Remember scare actors go through a lot of abuse, and if you happen to look similar or act a similar way in the park you can get hurt and you could sue the park for it and it becomes a mess.

As far as obviously not scare actor costumes, sorry but you have to be fair and equal to everyone, no costumes period. It wouldn't be fair to allow a superman dressed guy in and not the zombie guy.

 

[DrMoneyReturns]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Why do you have to be "fair" to everyone? Why wouldn't it be fair to allow Superman and not Hellraiser?

What, precisely, would be unfair about that?

 

[chickenking]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Are u sayin' I can't dress up as Clark Kent or Emo Peter Parker?

 

[Animator]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Well I think the fingerprint scanners do qualify for security. I am sure if a person has been caught stealing or fighting (disorderly conduct) and have been banned from the park; I would assume their fingerprints would be saved in the system and it would alert the staff to handle the situation.

This would work if they enforced the "index finger of right hand" rule. But I've seen people who use other fingers on either hand. So, you could get banned ten times before running out of fingers.

Only pass holders get their cards taken when they get a trespass warning. If you have a day ticket, they do not take that so there is really no way to track day tickets with fingerprints. It is tough to put a name with a day ticket. The purchaser may not be the one using it. Season passes have a name on each and are easier to track.

 

[Gavin]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Here's the deal: if you want to get in with a weapon, you can get in with a weapon.

I just got back from Six Flags America and I accidently ended up bringing in a knife to the park. This was after they did a full search of my bag, where I had to remove everything, and pass through a metal detector.

I wasn't even trying and it still got through security.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

It could depend on your knife Gavin, BGW allows pocket knives that fold and are 4 inches or smaller.

 

[netdvn]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Why do you have to be "fair" to everyone? Why wouldn't it be fair to allow Superman and not Hellraiser?

What, precisely, would be unfair about that?

Guest 1 walks into the park with a costume on and is allowed through.
Guest 2 with a different, scarier costume walks is stopped by security and is asked to change out. He sees guest 1 and asks "Why does he get to go through with a costume if I can't"
Security explains why
Guest 2 starts making a big fuss about the whole situation saying it's completely unfair that the park lets some people pass with costumes. He proceeds to point out other guests that are allowed into the park with costumes.
A supervisor is called down to the scene to assist.
After a while of bargaining and a few curse words thrown around by the guest, he agrees to finally change out. It works out, but the whole situation ends with everyone in a sour mood. It doesn't always work out like that but its bound to happen especially with the number of people that visit the park during HOS.

Nobody really wants to deal with that so the park just makes a blanket statement and says no costumes allowed.

 

[DrMoneyReturns]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Similar, to say, the arbitrary rules about what constitutes "obscene" clothing?

All I'm saying is that there's a prevailing thought these days that says that "in the interest of fairness" no one can do anything. It's like these HOAs which ban the American flag because there's a general ban against all flags, because someone might throw up a Nazi flag or a Confederate flag, and that would be offensive to someone. Better to just say "no flags," the thinking goes, than to have to argue about it.

I disagree. I think you can easily say "no scary costumes, monster costumes, or costumes that could cause a guest to be mistaken for HOS scare actors or Busch Gardens employees." I think that's simple to enforce.

But oh well. No Superman.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Yes they could be specific about the rule as to what specific creatures and styles of costume are allowed but keep in mind things like creatures and styles change constantly and the park may add Superman to their lineup of scare actors for whatever reason. Therefore it is simple and easy to keep the rule at no to all in the event something changes they won't have to change a rule and fight with guests.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Just thought this would fit here as discussion about this pertains to this thread mostly.

Very concerned about your security practices BGW. Was over walking at the park this morning and spotted an unattended bag near the pretzel stand in Germany. It was there for awhile (I was putting mustard on my pretzel) so reported it to the 3 employees there. They told me "it probably belonged to someone on a ride" and "if it was there later, they'd report it to security." REALLY, BGW?! Don't you guys have a more appropriate policy in place for this? The only correct answer from those employees should have been "thanks, we'll call security right away." Disappointing.
At about 3:00PM

Comments posted in the best assumed reverse chronological order (Newest first, Oldest last):

Hey MaryAnne, I would like to make it clear to you that I understand your concern fully. It is extremely common for guests to leave all sorts of bags throughout the park for an extended period of time. Bag Inspections are held before entering the park. Every bag in the park is ensured safe. I myself have assisted in these inspections and I make sure any possible dangerous item is not allowed. If you feel extremely insecure and unsafe you can always ask the nearest team member with a radio to call for security. I hope you do feel safe within the park, it really is one of the safest places; at least to me.

Those bags are gone through before you hit the park. If they thought it was anything weird out of the sorts, then it wouldn't have gotten in. If that is the case, then they better have security all over the Land of Dragons and Forrest of Fun cause they are left unattended ALL the time!

lol you are bad

Should have shook it to see if it ticked.

If you live in fear about every little thing then the terrorist have won. Again the amount of strollers left unattended for hours loaded with bags and who knows what else in heavy traveled areas should give you more concern.

Regardless, not a safe practice...and I was more surprised by the employee response than anything. I'm really surprised that bag check makes you all feel safe.

OMG MaryAnne do you know how many strollers are left unattended loaded with bags each day in the sesame street / land of the dragons area each day not to mention each of the train stations. Sorry im with Pam and Donika each bag is checked before a guest enter the park.

Never said they didn't.

I'm with Pam, the bags are searched prior to entry. If there was something suspect in the bag at that point, they wouldn't allow entry. Also, if you were really worries you could've insisted they call security.

Sorry Pam, but in this day and age it is NOT safe to assume.

It is very common for people to leave their bags laying around rather than pay for a locker while on a ride. Also, since bags are searched prior to entering the park, it is a safe assumption that there is nothing harmful in the unattended bag.

After reading this all it seems that bag check gives people a sense of security after all, while there are some who are aware that bag check can't stop everything.

 

[Julia]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

They are suppose to check appropriate clothing...
A shirt with a cuss word isn't allowed... BUT a girl that is wearing shorts, that looks like boyshorts UNDERWEAR on her IS?! Something is messed up here.... JS

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

They are suppose to check appropriate clothing...
A shirt with a cuss word isn't allowed... BUT a girl that is wearing shorts, that looks like boyshorts UNDERWEAR on her IS?! Something is messed up here.... JS

The rules state appropriate clothing is required and extends to explain that anything obscene or foul language will not be permitted. Therefore when it comes to clothing, they typically only check of the language or pictures on shirts.

Technically as long as she wears some form of shorts, pants, or skirts she is fine.

 

[Julia]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

They are suppose to check appropriate clothing...
A shirt with a cuss word isn't allowed... BUT a girl that is wearing shorts, that looks like boyshorts UNDERWEAR on her IS?! Something is messed up here.... JS

The rules state appropriate clothing is required and extends to explain that anything obscene or foul language will not be permitted. Therefore when it comes to clothing, they typically only check of the language or pictures on shirts.

Technically as long as she wears some form of shorts, pants, or skirts she is fine.

Umm shorts are suppose to cover your WHOLE butt right?! This girls BUTT CHEEKS were hanging ALL the way out!! I mean almost up to the hip hanging out. NOT exaggerating about this.. Like Zach said.. I should have snapped a pic!

 

[Party Rocker]

BGW Security Checkpoint

Unfortunately these things are missed or overlooked.

 

[DrMoneyReturns]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

I've seen people in the park with drug tshirts, sexual references (including some rudimentary diagrams, let's say), cuss words, you name it.

 

[chickenking]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

The clothing thing can be a touchy issue. It is the same in public schools. It can be difficult to have and enforce the rules for everyone that comes in the park. I can only imagine how many guests would be sent home or wait to the side for a parent to bring them a change of clothes (like in the schools) on a daily basis if they truly enforced whatever the letter of the policies are. I guess it is like the bag check; they HAVE to have something in place to at least APPEAR to address the issue..."Appropriate Clothing Theater"? I guess if a guest just went all out in "skirting" (pun intended) the rules like showing up in a thong & bra would we actually see action taken.

By the way, a lot of this seems to be focused on the females. Just like in the schools, the vast majority of clothing, or lack thereof, is in showing too much skin (coverage), and this does tend to be an ALMOST exclusive female issue. On the other hand, the explicit language, drug references and sexual imagery are generally the males being the offenders. That is not my opinion, but it is what countless school administrators deal with every day.

I can only imagine what happens at the BGW checkpoint. What is it, like two or three people with thousands of people streaming in? It is unrealistic to expect the enforcement of policy on such a grand scale. That being said, if enough people were to complain, maybe you would see more action being taken. I don't know. But one thing I can say, I am sure they have them, but I don't recall seeing any female BGW security people doing the checkpoints. If at some point they do decide to get strict on clothing, particularly with the "too much booty" hanging out stuff, they NEED to get a female security person involved. There are so many things that could go wrong if a male security person is the one responsible for that.

I don't suppose the park has a pair of "fashion police" walking around the park checking out what people are wearing do they? Or is it maybe every employee's duty to report such things to security who will deal with infractions? I don't know what the best way to deal with these things are. Like I said at the beginning, this can be a touchy issue.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security Checkpoint

Let me help you with some points; as with almost any rule the park has security team members have a insane amount of discretion. One even thought that $l^+ was an okay word to be allowed because it didn't directly offend anyone.

However, their main concern is blatant curse words, bikini bottoms or swimsuit bottoms for girls over about 10, blatant imagery of sexual inappropriateness, and sagging.

A really big issue is most of the time the guest is told to put their shirt inside out in order to go in, and they comply but once they're inside they flip it back out and unless another in-park security team member catches it, there is nothing that will be done.

ChickenKing, the whole Male versus Female thing is something that I understand can be an issue; but actually there have been female team members there, not as many as men, but there are still a few.