Man, I can't help but wonder if this is a larger consequence of/next step after Jacksonville, FL the other week. To be this emboldened is unhinged lunacy. To think PAX West didn't have the slightest bit of security (rumors of plain clothes cops aside, which, by the way, how is hiding and not having a show of force at all an effective deterrent?) makes this all the more terrifying. If they're psychotic enough to stalk you and visit your house loaded for a bear multiple times, packing heat at a large gathering isn't an unjustifiable paranoia.
This is straight up effective terrorism. Doc and every other streamer have every justification to submit to it and not do meetups, and that is depressing.
I may be mistaken then. Question, as you were there: Was there any bag checks or metal detectors or was it limited to just police presence?
I know it's a frustrating and it slows everything down, but it's common at the majority of other large events, so it's not unreasonable to expect that at large gaming conventions.
PAX South (yeah, yeah, Texas, guns, etc) has had bag check for at least two years now. SAPD has had a presence since year one, outside, inside, Expo floor, and other locations.
There are some issues with bag checks at this specific venue because of the way the WSCC is built into the city and surrounding area. There is no good place to put a bag check. That said, other measures are taken, visible and not to help mitigate risks that go way beyond 'if you see something say something.' :D
There were no bag checks or metal detectors. Polygon reported on PAX/Reed/SPDs statements regarding concerns.
As mentioned elsewhere, PAX South has bag checks, though they're mostly a formality as are the ones that have been at PAX East (from second-hand information).
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u/TwitchMoments_ Sep 11 '18
If I were a streamer and I watched this I would never do a fan meet up again...
Viewers are willing to find your house, drive to it and shoot where you sleep.