Disneyland Security Force Tactics Criticized

Disneyland’s security practices have come under fire by some visitors who contend guards mistreated and unfairly detained them for purported crimes.

The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed Tuesday that it is conducting a preliminary inquiry into one such incident involving members of a Covina family who contend in a lawsuit they were assaulted by at least five security guards in 1995.

“It is under review for possible civil rights violations,” said Myron Marlin, a department spokesman. He declined to elaborate on the case.

Local FBI spokesman Gary Morley said Tuesday that agents have interviewed the family at the request of the Justice Department. Morley said the FBI’s interviews were limited to the single case. He said he did not know how the U.S. Department of Justice was contacted or by whom.

“It’s a preliminary inquiry,” Morley said. “We take the information and it’s forwarded. They analyze it to determine if there is any merit for a civil rights investigation. If there is, they would re-contact us and ask for a full investigation.”

Disneyland spokesman Tom Brocato declined to discuss specific cases Tuesday but defended the park’s security personnel.

“Security and safety are the top priority here at Disneyland,” Brocato said. “Security must investigate all different types of illegal activities, and they approach that with the utmost dedication. They are schooled in service and courtesy and making it a pleasurable guest experience for everyone.”

The Justice Department review stems from an incident involving the family of Robin Paulson on April 19, 1995.

Robin Paulson, whose lawsuit filed last April seeks unspecified damages from Disneyland, alleges that plainclothes security personnel roughed up family members and interrogated them for three hours without ever making clear why they were being detained.

Paulson, 49, who has owned an annual pass to the park for several years, said she was visiting the park with her four children: Jennifer Christine, 21; Michel, 16; Amy, 12; and Samuel, 6.

“We were on our way from Fantasyland to Frontierland when we heard feet rushing up behind us,” Paulson said Tuesday. “We were instantly surrounded by this big group of big people. They grabbed us and started shaking us violently.”

Paulson said she first thought it was a kidnap attempt. In the scuffle, she said she was punched in the jaw by a female security guard and her daughter sprained her ankle before the family was “dragged” to a security office.

Paulson was not charged with a crime, but her two oldest daughters were brought to trial on assault and battery charges for striking the same guards they contend mistreated them, said Richard J. Hill, the Paulsons’ attorney.

Michel’s case is pending in Orange County Juvenile Court, and Jennifer Christine Paulson pleaded no contest to lesser charges, paid a $100 fine and has been banned from Disneyland for three years.

Paulson said her daughter agreed to the plea in June because she was suffering from pneumonia and couldn’t endure the strain of a trial.

The family’s lawsuit against Disneyland alleges assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, sexual battery and negligence. Paulson would not elaborate on the sexual battery allegation.

“I think the whole thing is a travesty,” Hill said. “They were mistreated and subjected to a long period of detention.”

Meanwhile, a 31-year-old Fullerton woman contends Disney security officers tried to get her to pay a fine for an alleged shoplifting infraction even though she had not been convicted.

Cecille Menard, 31, said she found it strange that after an Anaheim police officer took a report and gave her a citation for the Sept. 7 incident, a Disneyland investigator told her that she would be asked to pay a $275 fine to pay for damaged goods and to cover the expense of the investigation.

“He said to me in a whispery voice, ‘We accept checks,’ ” Menard said. “I said, ‘I’m not guilty and I don’t owe you anything. We’ll see you in court.’ ”

Brocato said the park does not try to collect money from shoplifting suspects but does advise them that Disneyland plans to seek civil damages from them.

Menard said her two children, ages 2 and 4, walked out of a toy store on Main Street with three small stuffed animals without her realizing it. Menard said that as soon as she realized what had happened and prepared to go back to the store, she was nabbed by security guards.

“I’m so upset, it’s like a nightmare,” said Menard, who works as a private investigator in Santa Ana. “In my profession, I can’t afford a criminal record.”

Anaheim City Councilman Lou Lopez, who has been a member of the Anaheim Police force for 27 years, criticized Disneyland this week over the incident involving Menard and objected to the park collecting any money before a visitor has had their day in court.

“If you’re at Disneyland and your kid stuffs a toy into a stroller, it seems to me that you should use some discretion and see what the intent is,” Lopez said. “It’s unprofessional to demand that they pay something. It’s almost like ransom.”