Bend theater bans backpacks amid violence elsewhere

Bend’s Regal Cinemas Old Mill 16 & IMAX has banned backpacks in its theaters, NewsChannel 21 learned Thursday.

Other bags, such as purses and diaper bags will be subject to searches.

The announcement comes days after a man was killed by police in Tennessee after he allegedly attacked moviegoers with a hatchet and pepper spray that he pulled out of a backpack.

Last month, a gunman took his own life after killing two people at a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana. In 2012, 12 people were killed in a theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado.

Some Bend moviegoers told NewsChannel 21 they would feel safer if backpacks were banned. Others said banning personal items and subjecting people to searches would take away from the enjoyment and relaxation of attending a movie.

A poll recently conduced by research firm C4 found nearly one-third of American moviegoers would support increased security measures at theaters.

Regal Cinemas also has taken a similar step at its theaters in Hawaii, according to news reports; calls to Regal Cinemas’ corporate headquarters for information on whether it’s a new nationwide policy have not been returned.

NewsChannel 21 also is conducting a poll online, asking people if they feel safe going to the movies. So far, 63 percent of respondents said they do feel safe, while 37 percent said they don’t.

You can weigh in too. Just visit the poll halfway down on the right-hand side the homepage at ktvz.com