Extra Security, Rules for Local Showings of 'Batman' Following Shooting

Moviegoers will have to follow some extra rules if they are planning on seeing "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises" Friday night.

Staff at the AMC Loews Brick Plaza theater said that masks which cover a person's face, as well as toy or costume weapons, will not be allowed inside following an incident Thursday night where a 24-year-old man shot and killed 12 people at a Colorado movie theater during a "Batman" screening.

Theater patrons will also be prevented from wearing costumes that could make other customers uncomfortable.

At opening night in the Toms River Seacourt AMC and Route 37 Marquee theater, midnight showings were crowded with fans, many dressed in costumes that included masks from the generations of Batman movies, cartoons, comics and television shows. Fans of "Batman" have been known to wear masks and costumes that could include faux weaponry to movie screenings.

That won't be allowed at AMC locations, staff said. AMC Loews, which owns both the Brick, Toms River and Monmouth theaters, said in a statement Friday that customers can receive refunds or exchanges for tickets they've already purchased if they wish.

Brick Police Sgt. Keith Reinhard said township police will have an "increased presence" near the theater as a precaution.

At the Monmouth Mall theater in Eatontown, similar rules will be in place, officials there said.

Eatontown Police Detective Lawrence Tyler said the police department always has two extra patrolman at the mall theater on Friday and Saturday nights, but there will be more units patrolling the area this weekend.

Eatontown Police Chief Michael Goldfarb had a meeting with mall management Friday morning and was told there will be extra mall security officers stationed at the movie theater this weekend and through the running of "The Dark Knight Rises."