Extra police will be on hand for the premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at the B&B Theatres in Lee's Summit Thursday night.
According to Lee's Summit Police Officer Beth Glover, the officers will be monitoring lines, checking tickets, and making sure things are safe inside the theater and in the parking lot.
"I think it's very responsible of the movie theater," she said. "They went ahead and hired the extra officers when they knew they were going to have that large crowd."
Normally, two officers monitor the theater on Fridays and Saturdays. Due to the expected large crowds, the officers will be patrolling on Thursday.
Other theaters in the metro area have put rules in places for costumes and props being brought in by Star Wars moviegoers.
Related:Dress up, you may: Costume policies at Kansas City area theaters for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'
Security at movie theaters was thrust into the national spotlight in 2012 following a mass shooting at a theater in Aurora, Colorado.
Moviegoer Alicia McKay said after the mass shooting, she now plans what to do in case of an emergency.
"You do need a plan," she said. "Some kind of a plan. At least in the back of your mind."
Other moviegoers, like Toby Cox, said a fear of violence would not get in the way of going to see Star Wars.
"I'm not going to let terror stop me from doing what we as Americans like to do and that's go see movies," explained Cox, who was going dressed as Star Wars character Darth Vader to the premiere. "I am excited to do that tonight [Thursday]."
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" opens nationwide on Thursday night.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at tom.dempsey@kshb.com.
