On Theater Security

Regarding the July 15 Comment (“Thanks for the Theaters, Magic, but Why Such Nasty Security?”) by Earl Ofari Hutchinson, this was the third consecutive weekend I went to Magic’s theaters and I continue to be awestruck by the sheer volume of foot traffic and activity they have brought to that community.

As you enter the parking lot you struggle to find a parking space, something all to common at most malls but never a problem at the Baldwin Hills center. Then as you enter the theater, you can’t help from feeling a powerful sense of pride from the beautiful first class lobby to the people who are employed there, anywhere from 35 to 50 mostly young African Americans from the neighborhood are working concession stands, ticket booths, security detail, theater admittance, selling magic souvenirs and providing general information in a very polite way.

You can’t help but notice the “code of conduct” sign that is prominently displayed near the entrance, but everyone who reads it nods approvingly. I overheard women and older people saying the security made them feel very comfortable. And if senior citizens, adults and single women are comfortable, they will return again and again, which bodes well for the theater and the shopping center.

A visible security presence is not an indictment on the African American community, but rather a recognition of violence, so why not deal with it straight up?

KERMAN MADDOX

Los Angeles