Nightwing100
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Registered: 03-2004
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DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
With the much anticipated approach of DRAGONCON I thought this issue should be brought up and perhaps our members could do something about it.
There has been a trend over the last few years that has grown to be quite infuriating at this otherwise fantastic Con. I'm speaking of the unecessary harassment of cosplayers/costumers by DragonCon 'security'.
I understand the need for examination of some props to make certain they pose no danger but at best there seems to be little common sense being applied even when the weapons are obviously fake (i.e. claws that are blunt and don't cut or guns with orange tips that go 'bang-bang' when fired) and at worst these 'security' people act like fanboys who think they can bully you.
The final straw for me came when a 250lb 'security' guy came over and told a 105lb Lara Croft in a black catsuit not to draw her obviously fake guns for photos. Meanwhile a squad of 250lb SG-1 soldiers with P-90 assault weapons were right behind him 'unnoticed.'
Many of us go to Dragon Con specifically to be seen a photographed in our costumes and props and I do not wish to waste precious time there because of the whims and lack of good sense of 'security' people who bug you because your props look too good.
I was also told at various times that photos in the lobby after 9:30 were prohibited!
My friends; I would ask you all to take a moment when convenient to send a note to Dragoncon administration and tell them to revise 'security' procedures so that personnel cease bothering cosplayers whose props pose no danger to anybody as well as photo restrictions. As a premier costuming group I feel we can make a difference and keep this Con going as a great venue for us all.
CONTACT: MARK MASDAL He is in the office staff. E-MAIL >[email protected]<
Thanks gang (& MagicMan for the e-mail info)
-Nightwing100
Last edited by Selina Kyle, 4/15/2004, 3:36 pm
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3/29/2004, 5:35 pm
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The BlackBat
Registered: 01-2004
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
Hey man...great post and a good idea....I stuck this for you...hope we can make a difference.
~Tim
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"We all walk in the dark and each of us must learn to turn on his or her own light."
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3/29/2004, 6:43 pm
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BatDemon
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
mike,
you don't wanna get me started on this one, but, i agree with you. there is one pear shaped, overbearing , no control over his life in the real-world POS who is on many people's list. i usually see him riding point for the bigger named guests. he's an a$$. while i understand the whole peace-bonding issue, anyone who says it's because of 9-11 is full of it. bonding was used well before then, mainly on edged weapons, cause alcohol and swords don't mix, heard of 2 drunkwn fanboys reenacting highlander in a parking garage once. having attended for the last 6 years i've seen the decline too, particularly the past few years. i suspect that changing of the guard happened then. thing is best way to affet them is with your wallet. i wonder about this year because the world con is in boston on the same weekend.
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- BatDemon
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3/29/2004, 7:08 pm
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Magic Man
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
Yeah those guys are something else. As some of you may recall, I almost slugged it out with the guy that was literally PUSHING me out of the way because I was 'in the circle'. These guys are WAY too overbearing and need to relax. I think good security is one thing, but my god. That was ridiculous. I have written several letters to the DC people and they all give me the same 'peace-bonding' B.S. each and every time.
Brad
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3/29/2004, 10:16 pm
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loganx5142
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
Word, Mike!
I am a licesened security guard. I have the utmost respect for people who sometimes put their lives on the line for what little pay they get.
That being said: for every security guard out there that doesn't take themself TOO seriously, doesn't act like a bully, or a wanna be Gunnery Sergent Hartman; there are a half dozen that do. And from my first year at Dragoncon I've noticed that their team has far too few "good cops". The gentlmen in charge of security two years ago was great. His lackies were just that. I'll be writing them in the sincere hope that we can all do our part to make Dragoncon a safe and "lobby nazi" free convention.
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Visit www.heroesalliance.com
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3/30/2004, 1:05 am
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Magic Man
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
I agree 100% with you, TJ. I'm a certified officer myself and it is indeed all about respect. Treat people kindly and you will get treated the same way...at least most of the time. :wink The use of force (ie pushing) is the LAST resort. :whack Those guys might wanna retake their cert class. :laugh
The funny thing is, most of the police officers were cool as hell! Some even posed for pictures! :cheers But I think the security there have got some of the biggest heads in Atlanta. Someone bring a pin...
Brad
Last edited by Magic Man, 3/30/2004, 2:32 am
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3/30/2004, 2:31 am
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BatDemon
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
you guys are under the assumtion that the "security" is actually certified. most are doing it to earn a free membership, others may have some "military" background, but i'm willing to bet the one or two (yes, i'm wiiling to bet, we'ed all point to the same guy) who are overbearing a$$es send the other 360 days under someone elses thumb. a friend of mine who i usally go to dc with is going to the world con, partly due to what he sees as a decline at dc. one time 2 years ago this "guard" almost got taken out for placing his hands on my friends wife's chest so traci lords could ride the escalator by herself. luckliy my friend was able to step between the guard and his wife.
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- BatDemon
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3/30/2004, 11:35 am
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Nightwing100
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
Well it’s good to know that my discontent isn’t simply my paranoid nature and as far as I know no D-Con ‘security’ person is anymore than a fanboy that knows somebody. Just be sure to send those e-mails and encourage friends to do so also so that we may be heard and hopefully improve the current state of affairs. Also inquire about photo restrictions (ie none after x-o’clock) and see if they have the b@lls to tell us about them beforehand rather than blindside us in the lobby. Maybe if their patronage/profits are threatened, they’ll take positive action.
This concludes the polite and articulate section of my rant.
If I see any obese, fanboy, geek hassle a patron and have no other explanation for doing so other than “uh… the office says so.” I will get in his face and tell them to bugger-off and bring the office over to explain it. These wastes of flesh with delusions of Cop-hood have no more power over us than they would on the street and I will go out of my way to emphasize this. Finally, since there is no legal difference between these ‘volunteers’ laying hands on me than some guy doing that in a bar, should that actually occur I will defend myself……Vigorously. (p.s. I do not encourage anybody to violent behavior  )
They advertise this as the best fan run Con in the country guys, so they better be prepared to work harder to earn that title. Send those letters & be heard!
To borrow a wise brother’s sign off:
“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
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3/30/2004, 5:28 pm
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Magic Man
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
I contacted on of the guys over at DC and told him my concerns about the security. He was very polite and wanted to know more about it and what not. He said the guys in the jackets are hotel security and the people in the polo shirts, I believe, are DC staff. He said he will definitely take my concerns to the rest of the staff and let me know anything further.
Brad
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3/30/2004, 5:44 pm
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Nightwing100
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Re: DRAGONCON ATENDEES: PLEASE READ.
Sounds like a good start Brad.
Could you please post the contact person's name and where to send our e-mails to so we can get the ball rolling?
BTW: Did they mention any 'photo curfews'?
Thanks Man. :up
Caio fer now -Nightwing100
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3/31/2004, 10:27 am
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