Local Theaters, Police Adjust After Massacre

Local theaters and police departments were reviewing policies and procedures Friday following an overnight mass shooting at a movie theater in suburban Denver that killed 12 and wounded 59 others during a showing of the latest Batman film, "The Dark Knight Rises."

The AMC Theatres chain announced on its Facebook page Friday afternoon that it would not allow moviegoers to wear "costumes that make other guests feel uncomfortable." Face-covering masks and fake weapons were also prohibited from the company's theaters.

In Montgomery Township, where AMC operates a nine-screen cinema, police had "adjusted their patrol deployment" in the wake of the tragedy, said Deputy Chief J. Scott Bendig.

Regal Cinemas, which operates a 24-screen theater in the Oaks section of Upper Providence Township, said it will "continue to monitor the situation and adjust security needs as necessary."

Detective William Dixon of the Upper Providence Police Department said Friday afternoon that an officer would be assigned to the Oaks movie theater on Friday and Saturday nights, which he said was normal.

"We're just being aware, and keeping a [patrol] car in that zone [of the township]," Dixon said.

Patch editor Tony DiDomizio contributed to this report.