Police make extra patrols at Cape movie venue

In the wake of a mass shooting last week in a crowded movie theater last week in Lafayette, Louisiana, police have agreed to help patrol Wehrenberg 14 Cine in Cape Girardeau for the near future.

Wehrenberg Cape West 14 Cine general manager Kevin Dillon said the theatre's safety protocols always are in place, and the request for a police officer's presence is just an extra precaution.

"Because of the incident that happened in Lafayette last night, we just have a more visible presence of security in the theater," Dillon said Friday. "We have security measures in the theater on a daily basis, but wanted more for the time being."

He also said this is not the first time he's requested a visible police presence in the theater. As with previous instances, it's intended to ensure a safer, more enjoyable experience for his customers.

"Currently right now, we have them scheduled for about a week," he said.

Karen Scott, spokeswoman for Malco Trio Cinema in Sikeston, Missouri, issued a statement expressing sympathy for the shooting victims in Lafayette and reassuring customers of ongoing cooperation with law enforcement but would not comment further.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic event that took place last night in Lafayette, Louisiana. Our hearts go out to everyone involved. Malco's primary concern remains the safety and well-being of our patrons," she stated in an email. "To that end, we maintain an ongoing dialog with local and national law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, and will continue to devote our resources toward this effort."

The regularity of tragic events such as Thursday night's shooting have increased concerns of safety and the debate over gun control.

President Obama, in the wake of the mass shooting in a church in Charleston, South Carolina, said he's felt more "stymied" on gun control than any other policy area and made a call for changes that could reduce mass shootings.

The rates of mass shooting are demonstrably higher in the United States than in other advanced countries. The Washington Post reported Friday the mass shooting in Lafayette, which left three dead -- including the gunman -- and nine others wounded, was the 204th incident in which four or more people were shot in the United States in the past 204 days.

tgraef@semissourian.com

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