Security & Safety

[Nicole]

RE: BGW Security

Well, we could have metal detectors... it could be worse.*cough* Kings Dominion

Which begs the question: why doesn't Cedar Fair have a consistent security policy?

Embrace it, Nic. You've been claimed by our evil clutches of theme park obsessing! Welcome to the Dark Side. Now go change your signature.

Someone has to stand up for the much-maligned GP!

 

[ZJhauler]

RE: BGW Security

Canada's Wonderland also has the metal detectors but all the security guards just asked if I had anything else in my pockets (other than what I was already holding) except the last guy who wouldn't let me through without a fight... When I told him the only other thing I had was my passport he looked at me like I was crazy and demanded that I take it out to show him...
I generally never have an issue getting into BGW because I never bring a bag and only have a few small items in my pockets. No bag check, no locker rental, nothing to worry about other than a water bottle.

 

[morte615]

RE: BGW Security

The reason Cedar Fair doesn't have a consistant policy is that the legacy parks did not have metal detectors, but the former Paramount parks all did. So when they were purchased and the original managers still running them, they decided to keep them but not make any changes to the legacy parks.

 

[chickenking]

RE: BGW Security

Look, just go to your preferred park a lot. Build up a reputation. Engage in small talk with the folks in security. One day, "Hey so & so, come on through!!"

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security

Honestly bga check is a joke. I seriously believe if they really wanted to provide consistent security, they should add metal detectors and x-ray scanners for bags instead of sticks.

Perhaps having these two additional things wouldn't be as bad if they blended in to match the theming some? Stone archways for the metal detectors so it doesn't necessarily look like you're going through a metal detector but just an archway.

 

[Zachary]

RE: BGW Security

Perhaps having these two additional things wouldn't be as bad if they blended in to match the theming some?

No. It takes ten years to get through the line just to scan my pass. The last thing the park needs is to find more useless red tape to force guests to cut through each time they enter the park.

 

[Parkgoer]

RE: BGW Security

Honestly bga check is a joke. I seriously believe if they really wanted to provide consistent security, they should add metal detectors and x-ray scanners for bags instead of sticks.

Perhaps having these two additional things wouldn't be as bad if they blended in to match the theming some? Stone archways for the metal detectors so it doesn't necessarily look like you're going through a metal detector but just an archway.

You mean the pervert rape scanners that people across the globe are complaining about? The same ones the EU might ban forcing US to stop using them as it would violate numerous treaties? Yea we need those.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

RE: BGW Security

Honestly bga check is a joke. I seriously believe if they really wanted to provide consistent security, they should add metal detectors and x-ray scanners for bags instead of sticks.

Perhaps having these two additional things wouldn't be as bad if they blended in to match the theming some? Stone archways for the metal detectors so it doesn't necessarily look like you're going through a metal detector but just an archway.

Yes, because BGW has a massive violence problem right now. I got shanked last week because I wore the colors of a rival gang , what with the BGW turf wars going on.

 

[Parkgoer]

RE: BGW Security

Yes, because BGW has a massive violence problem right now. I got shanked last week because I wore the colors of a rival gang , what with the BGW turf wars going on.

Not to mention that most visual security measures are visual comfort food for travelers/visitors that have spiraled outta control.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security

Honestly bga check is a joke. I seriously believe if they really wanted to provide consistent security, they should add metal detectors and x-ray scanners for bags instead of sticks.

Perhaps having these two additional things wouldn't be as bad if they blended in to match the theming some? Stone archways for the metal detectors so it doesn't necessarily look like you're going through a metal detector but just an archway.

You mean the pervert rape scanners that people across the globe are complaining about? The same ones the EU might ban forcing US to stop using them as it would violate numerous treaties? Yea we need those.

No you missed the last part of my sentance there, "x-ray scanners for bags instead of sticks", I was just saying let the bags through the x-ray scanner not people!

 

[Celticdog]

RE: BGW Security

Do you all really think it's necessary to increase security?

I have never once not felt safe at the park. I have never ever felt as though it's un-secure. I have never ever felt threatened.

I agree that the bag check is just for show. If they really wanted to do a thorough check, they need to look into all the pockets and spaces on all bags, not just the main compartment. They could start there, rather than metal detectors and xray machines.

 

[Nicole]

RE: BGW Security

I don't think it is entirely for show. I think it probably has some preventative benefits, as well. The threat of getting caught may prevent some people from attempting to bring contraband into the park.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security

If they really wanted to do a thorough check, they need to look into all the pockets and spaces on all bags, not just the main compartment. They could start there, rather than metal detectors and xray machines.

They are supposed to already be searching through every compartment in the bag.

But it comes down feeling safe versus being safe. I personally feel like the park is the safest thing in the world, I'd rather stay at the park with a tornado than at home. However, just because I feel safe doesn't mean I am.

What I have come to think is people lose sight of the big picture. People just start thinking, it's just Busch Gardens, as if Busch Gardens was their local McDonalds. Yes to you, Busch Gardens may not be anything big or special on the popularity scale like Disney; but to guests who travel from Europe, Asia, etc, Busch Gardens is as popular as Disney.

With that, a theme park, especially Busch Gardens during Howl-o-Scream attracts a large mass of the American public in one place. An ideal setting for terrorists, gunmen, etc.

The fact is, just because we feel safe doesn't mean we are, and many people overlook the fact that the park is not some common or small McDonalds on the side of the street, it is a large internationally known theme park that could be an ideal target for many bad things.

I for one feel safe, but I know I am far from it.

 

[destroyer421]

RE: BGW Security

*sigh* To all the people flaming...he never said it was necessary.....*facepalm*

And as far as being safe goes....you are NEVER safe. EVER. You are constantly in danger of SOMETHING bad happening. Is it probable that something bad will happen? Nah, but the possibility always remains, it's a fact of life. Do I think BGW should up their security? Nah, there's no point.

 

[Parkgoer]

RE: BGW Security

No you missed the last part of my sentance there, "x-ray scanners for bags instead of sticks", I was just saying let the bags through the x-ray scanner not people!

If the bag checks were an actual safety measure then sure it might help. However, it is not. What stops a person with no bags from getting something dangerous in; especially during the cool big jacket times of year. Oh yea, nothing is there to stop them. The bag checks are more visual comfort food for park goers and prevent people from bringing anything seen as contraband in.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security

No you missed the last part of my sentance there, "x-ray scanners for bags instead of sticks", I was just saying let the bags through the x-ray scanner not people!

If the bag checks were an actual safety measure then sure it might help. However, it is not. What stops a person with no bags from getting something dangerous in; especially during the cool big jacket times of year. Oh yea, nothing is there to stop them. The bag checks are more visual comfort food for park goers and prevent people from bringing anything seen as contraband in.

That is why I also said, that metal detectors used with these x-ray scanners would be a for sure security measure and will ensure safety more efficiently; however, if you have one without the other, they whole system will fail, leaving the whole security measure a joke, or as some people see it as a deterrent.

Did everyone just skim through my post without fully reading it? I feel like I'm doing a breakdown of my post?

 

[Celticdog]

RE: BGW Security

^ I get what you're saying. Metal detectors and xray will stop those trying to smuggle in a knife or gun, but it will have no effect on someone trying to commit a large scale terrorist attack. BG property is not secure by any means. There are breaches in fencing all around the property. If deer can get in, so can anyone else.

 

[Nicole]

RE: BGW Security

^ I get what you're saying. Metal detectors and xray will stop those trying to smuggle in a knife or gun, but it will have no effect on someone trying to commit a large scale terrorist attack. BG property is not secure by any means. There are breaches in fencing all around the property. If deer can get in, so can anyone else.

It is not the responsibility of BGW security to prevent a large-scale terrorist attack. There are state and federal agencies for that.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: BGW Security

^ I get what you're saying. Metal detectors and xray will stop those trying to smuggle in a knife or gun, but it will have no effect on someone trying to commit a large scale terrorist attack. BG property is not secure by any means. There are breaches in fencing all around the property. If deer can get in, so can anyone else.

It is not the responsibility of BGW security to prevent a large-scale terrorist attack. There are state and federal agencies for that.

And those state and federal agencies call BGW security *daily* about tips related to large-scale terrorist attacks, etc.

Yes, agencies like the FBI call the park all the time letting them know they received tips mostly for bombings. A lot of these tips are centered around disgruntled employees or pissed off guests.

It is up to you to decide if any of these tips were actually legit or all just nothing.

 

[Nicole]

RE: BGW Security

Do you honestly believe that any federal agency would hand-off a credible, large-scale terrorist threat to a amusement park security force?