cedar point adds more security

Cedar point finally adds metal detectors to the entrances into the park.

http://nbc24.com/news/local/new-security-measures-implemented-at-am...ller-coast

I'm curious to know what "finally" means.

It doesn't seem definitive that they've added walk-through magnetometers over at PointBuzz. They've been wanding people since last year.

"A parkgoer who recently visited the park informed NBC 24 of new security measures taking place when entering the amusement park."

What a good citizen!

This season and last I've had visits where I got wanded and some when I didn't. So maybe this isn't news after all.

Not new news, just someone told a reporter and so it's more widely known. There are no walk through detectors as of two days ago it's all strictly wanding often being done by people who have varying levels of understanding of how to use one. Wednesday my husband didn't beep at all with a big metal belt buckle but my son's friend got wanded numerous times because the metal rivet on her jeans was setting a wand off.

I don't really get the "finally" comment like you've been waiting for it and looking forward to it. Never have I ever thought to myself that having to wait in line to be searched every time I get something out of my car or move from CP to Soak City and back would improve my best day ever experience.

At Kings Island on Wednesday, I waited just over 10 minutes to get through security. The holdup seemed to be bag checking, but there was no separate line for people without bags. There were a few lanes off to the side that opened up eventually, so I darted over there. They used the wand on the person in front of me... then waved me and a few people behind me through. Sounds silly, but I was kinda disappointed they *didn't* check me, after I'd spent my time. Glad I hadn't bothered to take everything out of my pockets first.

Guests without bags is the line that makes Disney better, although they still randomly screen people through the metal detectors there as well.

Wow... I was there on Monday, the 27th and noticed the metal detectors even before this guys did. Man, I'm so awesome! Can I get a cookie or something?

At no point during the day did I, or my son, say anything along the lines of "Hey, let's call the network news and tell them that Cedar Point has wands now."

Most of us who noticed it just complained and moaned on PointBuzz.instead of calling the news ;) Sorry, I'm fresh out of cookies...

Cedar Point isn't Disney. I know it's most coaster enthusiasts' dream, but it really is not well-known outside of the region. Therefore, it's not a likely terrorist target, and that's why they don't have very strict security measures. Not that it's not good to have them, but there really hasn't been a need until now, after Orlando and all. Popular local venues are apparently now being targeted by terrorists.

The extra security at Cedar Point actually started last year around this time but not everyday. It was a hit or miss thing. So far this year I've only managed to miss it once. I'd like to miss it more often, like maybe permanently.

Yes, it would be good if security theater went permanently missing.

bjames said:

Cedar Point isn't Disney. I know it's most coaster enthusiasts' dream, but it really is not well-known outside of the region. Therefore, it's not a likely terrorist target, and that's why they don't have very strict security measures. Not that it's not good to have them, but there really hasn't been a need until now, after Orlando and all. Popular local venues are apparently now being targeted by terrorists.

It doesn't matter if it's Disney (The largest and most significant chain) or Michigan's Adventure (The smallest and least significant park I could think of,) a terrorist attack at *ANY* amusement park will indeed cause panic among society. The effects of even a local county fair attack will trickle upwards and cause people to say things like "Well, I was planning on taking the family to Disney World, but now I'm just too scared."

Using "Cedar Point isn't Disney" logic, one could have argued "Pulse isn't that big and significant as far as nightclubs go," or "Istanbul's airport isn't as large as Atlanta," or "The Eagles Of Death Metal aren't as popular as Taylor Swift" before any one of those attacks. Yet they still happened.

So ya... I don't much care for having to go through security checkpoints half my life, (I work at an airport) but I believe that a park like Cedar Point could absolutely be, and probably already is, a potential target.

Only thing is, I leave my phone in my pocket every trip to see if the metal detectors are doing anything. Their success rate of finding my phone is less than 50%, so I'm pretty sure they're not doing a very good job. Also, one can always put a phone and a conceal carry in the same pocket, and when the metal detector goes off, they show the phone, and the "security" person just lets them through.

Well a well trained officer would have you walk through the detector again or run the wand over the questionable area once more but it doesn't sound like the staff there would be inclined to do that from what I have been reading.

Nope. I honestly don't think it's doing anything but creating an extra line to go through. They don't seem to consistently know what they are doing and if you wanted to cause mass casualties in that park there are any number of places you can do it from that don't involve entering the park and going through security. It may stop your small time jerk from bringing a knife in and getting in a fight or something like that but someone who is looking seriously at the park as a target will get around it easily. Seeing it makes some people feel safe. It doesn't have that effect on me. I know I'm still not "safe".