security

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Varmit33
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security

Post by Varmit33 »

Just wondering if security is going to be a little more constant then last year they let me thru with something on Friday but didn't on sat or sun. Just trying to be prepared to make getting in smoother and hopefully quicker.
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Shiggitay
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Re: security

Post by Shiggitay »

I've heard blurbs saying that the MCCA (Massachusetts Convention Center Authority) is working with the NEAS (New England Anime Society, parent "company" of AB) to ease and simplify the security stuff at the doors of Hynes/Pru/Sheraton. I sincerely hope that it's smoother than 2016, with the stupidly excessive metal detector crap, but we shall see.
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Kalyoth
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Re: security

Post by Kalyoth »

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Expect security to be whatever it is determined to be by the Boston PD, Hynes security & the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Many of us may have issues with it, but not much can truly be done in this regard. The law of the land is to protect the citizens with methods determined by those elected/appointed to get the job done. I know AB works very hard & continuously to try & make the impact upon us attendees as small as possible.

What final forms this takes will likely not be finalized until right before the convention. Be patient & remember this - you are attending a convention in winter in New England. Be ready to potentially be outdoors in inclement weather (rain/snow). Be patient, attentive & prepared. I am looking forward to reading the official information once it is announced by AB.
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Fetch
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Re: security

Post by Fetch »

I just hope that all the different security groups will work from the same rulebook.

Idea (that I have said in the forums more than once): have a printout of the rules and policies about cosplay at EVERY entrance and 'weapon check'. Especially the rule about any confiscated props will be returned when you leave. Why do I single out that one? Because during AB2016, I saw security take a whole box of confiscated prop swords, break every one into pieces, and then toss the pieces into the trash. I myself have no props like that, but I know the time, money, and effort that goes into making such. To see it reduced to trash by uncaring rent-a-cops is just wrong.
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Seriyu
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Re: security

Post by Seriyu »

Fetch, just to clarify. Was that MCCA security you saw break props? Anime Boston security does not handle weapon checks, nor confiscations. Did you address any Anime Boston staff about this?
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Fetch
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Re: security

Post by Fetch »

Seriyu wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2017 12:04 am Fetch, just to clarify. Was that MCCA security you saw break props? Anime Boston security does not handle weapon checks, nor confiscations. Did you address any Anime Boston staff about this?
Pretty sure it was MCCA, as I also saw their janitorial staff on Sunday dump a big box of props into the trash.
This is why they should have a printout of the rules, so everyone is absolutely sure they are playing from the same rulebook and not making the attendees mad.

I mentioned it on the forum right after the con, as I saw both incidents as I was leaving on the Saturday and Sunday.
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Re: security

Post by Elli21486 »

Fetch wrote:Thu Mar 31, 2016 5:32 pm
royalbakaness wrote:
Master of NERV wrote: "I didn't even bother with my weapons after I saw this large Brute brand trash barrel packed with homemade props. I saw several swords and a Thor hammer (all VERY intricate and beautiful) stuffed into the trash container suggesting there was no way they could be reclaimed by their owners who had obviously put a lot of time and energy into them before they were taken away for whatever reason. If that had happened to me with part of my costume I would have been furious! They weren't even given the option to bring them back to their room. There was a Link cosplayer who had a very intricate sword snatched away and broken up in the trash. That would have ruined my con experience if that was me."
This is the one thing that has me anxious about next year. I don't typically have "weapons" for props, but I was considering making a staff for next year. However, after hearing about the seemingly arbitrary prop confiscation, I'm hesitant about it. I work hard on my cosplays, and they're a big part of why I love the con. I agree that if some security person ruined a prop I worked so hard on, it would indeed ruin my con. I rarely get upset with people at cons, but I would be furious. I hope this gets sorted out by next year.
According to AB prop policy:
Unapproved items will be will be cataloged and stored. Upon exit of the convention center, the owner may reclaim it. Any item found to violate city, state, or federal law may not be returned at the discretion of the Boston Police Department.

So, if one of the prop checks was just chucking them into the trash, they were going against policy.
I say it every year: AB & MCCA need to work on their communication and co-ordination. Until they get that straightened out, we shall all continue to have problems.
I can vouch for this issue about props being discussed in the forums. Above is an excerpt from "The Great Feedback Post of Anime Boston 2016" section.

As for security itself, I hope they have more people this year than last year. I have spoken to a security last year who was also a regular at Anime Boston and he told me they were understaffed for the convention. He also could not believe there were metal detectors there but that's a different story entirely.
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