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Westchester Reacts To Batman Shooting In Colorado

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – Residents throughout Westchester County are speaking out on The Daily Voice's Facebook pages about the shooting at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Colorado.

At least 12 people were killed and dozens were hurt when a gunman opened fire at a movie theater in the Denver suburb of Aurora. A 24-year-old man was arrested in the shooting.

In Westchester officials are taking no chances.

John Realbuto, manager of the Cortlandt Town Center theaters, operated by Regal Entertainment Group, said the theater is instituting bag checks.

"We have our ushers checking the theaters three times each show to make sure they're safe and all the doors are closed and there's no disturbances," Realbuto said.

In Bronxville, a police car was parked outside Clearview Cinemas on Kraft Avenue, and an officer was standing inside the theater lobby.

"I heard about it this morning," said Mary Parrton of Bronxville. "I decided that a 2 o'clock showing was safe. I normally don't go to midnight movies and I probably wouldn't, especially after hearing that."

Some residents said concerns about copycat violence would keep them away from the film.

"Just told my kids this morning that I am afraid of a copycat and we will wait for the DVD," Helen Houk Dillon wrote on The New Rochelle Daily Voice's Facebook page.

Some expressed similar anxieties on The Cortlandt Daily Voice's Facebook page.

"Copycats are a big concern," Susan Dech wrote. "With my own children getting older and wanting to go places by themselves with friends, I am feeling that is no longer going to be an option. How sad. Many times I went to midnight screenings as a teenager and had a ball. ... Looks like this will b gone for them as well."

"Truly shocking with what happened in CO!!," Amy Huang wrote on The Greenburgh Daily Voice's Facebook page. "Yes, I am worried and would prob not let my kids see this kind of movie."

Others were less concerned.

"No I'm not worried, Liz Jacobson wrote on The Croton Daily Voice's Facebook page. "We must live our lives. We traveled out of the country soon after 9/11 also. My husband and I believe that we cannot hide when our time has come. Instead, we can live our lives fully, and not allow hate or fear to stop us. (Don't get me wrong... We don't place ourselves in what we deem to be dangerous situations either.) We just choose to LIVE LIFE. We have taught our children the same."

John Tichenor also wrote on the Croton page. He urged residents to be aware of their surroundings.

Think about this, Tichenor said.  "Someone, somewhere must have known that this wack job was an accident waiting to happen. If people spoke up more, then maybe at least some of this ugliness could be avoided."

"So yes, it is safe for all of us to leave our homes and go about our business," Tichenor wrote. "If you SEE something, SAY something."

Other residents were unconcerned.

John Fix wrote on The Eastchester Daily Voice's Facebook page: "I'd be more worried about the car ride to the theater. 90 people die every day on US highways."

Post your own reaction in the comment section below or on your community's Daily Voice Facebook page.

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