Tampa Police Step Up Patrols Near Movie Theaters

In light of a mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater Friday during a midnight showing of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises," the is increasing patrols around Tampa theaters — including the

In a statement released Friday afternoon, Chief Jane Castor said the Tampa Police Department has no knowledge of any threats to weekend movie-goers, and the heightened security measure is due to “an abundance of caution.”

“All traditional movie theaters in the city already hire off duty Tampa Police Officers in the evening hours,” Castor said in the statement. “Since the Colorado tragedy, some theatres have contacted the department to hire day time off duty officers as well.”

The department conducts active shooter training for shopping malls, large employers, schools and other facilities, and will offer the instruction to Tampa movie theaters in the near future, Castor said in the statement.

Do you think increased patrols are necessary? Are you concerned about security at movie theaters? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.