'Joker' Opening With Masks Banned, Police Patrols

Don't expect to see masks or face paint at screenings of the “Joker” film, which opens across the country at midnight Thursday — many theater chains are banning them. In fact, so many people are worried about violence at or because of the movie that Yonkers police decided to take steps of their own.

Officers will be patrolling at two local theaters. The Yonkers police are also warning of random bag searches, and stringent enforcement of rules against letting minor children in without an accompanying adult.

"Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of our residents, police officers will be assigned to the Ridge Hill and Cross County theater locations," police officials said in a statement. "Movie goers are also advised that theater management WILL NOT be allowing patrons in wearing face-masks, face-paintings, etc. Additionally, patrons can expect random bag searches and unaccompanied minors will not be allowed into the R-rated movie. Please plan accordingly."

The Yonkers Police Department has no information indicating specific, credible threats to a particular location or venue, they said.

Concerns about the violence depicted in the film began growing weeks ago, and after worries expressed by the families of those killed in a 2012 mass shooting at a Colorado theater screening of an earlier Batman film.

Separately, AMC Theatres, the biggest movie-theater chain in the United States, previously banned masks in theaters after the Colorado mass shooting, but the company issued a reminder last week that audience members are not allowed to wear anything that obscures their faces. Costumes are still permitted.

There are three AMC Theatres in the Hudson Valley:

• AMC Crystal Run 16, 1 Galleria Drive Middletown, New York 10940
• AMC Port Chester 14, 40 Westchester Avenue Port Chester, New York 10573
• AMC Palisades 21, 4403 Palisades Ctr. Drive West Nyack, New York 10994

“Guests are welcome to come dressed in costume, but we do not permit masks, face paint or any object that conceals the face,” AMC said in a widely reported statement. “AMC does not permit weapons or items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable or detract from the movie going experience.”