Tri-County Cineplex owner explains, defends new safety policy

A new policy at the Tri-County Cineplex has sparked mixed reaction on social media following its implementation this week.

The movie theater will no longer permit individuals to carry large purses or backpacks into the theater for safety reasons.

Suzie Razmus, owner of Tri-County Cineplex, explained that after the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting in 2012, Tri-County Cineplex had been working to upgrade the safety measures deemed necessary to protect guests. Shortly after that incident, the theater installed alarmed exit doors in the theater and an extensive surveillance camera system.

The new policy on bag sizes is just the next step in that process, Razmus said.

This policy is not new to the area, Razmus said. The Corbin Arena and other venues of the same nature have adopted similar policies.

Razmus wanted to inform the community that diaper and medical bags will be permitted after being searched. The searches will be performed by the door workers or by a member of management. The searches will consist of individuals opening the bags and a flashlight being used to examine the contents.

She added that customers who have concealed-carry permits would not be barred from bringing a gun to the theater.

“We want our customers to be happy but safe,” Razmus stated. ”

The policy has been posted at the facility for the past six months and went into effect immediately following the Fourth of July.

Razmus did not expect to receive as much negative criticism as she has, but she wants to emphasize that the purpose for the policy is to protect the patrons of the theater.

“My only motivation for doing this was safety,” she said. “This is becoming an industry standard. Most other theater chains are going to it, and we don’t want to fall behind.”

Cinemark, one of the nation’s largest movie theater chains, implemented a similar in February.

Another chain, Regal, regular checks patron’s bags upon entrance to its theaters.