Movie theaters beefing up security for Star Wars crowds

“My legs are shaking right now I want to sit down and get it on, go watch the show,” said Star Wars fan Thomas Madrid.

Even though the seventh Stars Wars flick flashed across big screens for the first time Thursday night, the force has just begun.

“I love Jar Jar,” said Mekayla Marquez.

“I took the day off from work and took them out of school to go do this,” said Kelly Burgan. “It’s that big of a deal.”

Maya Cinemas in Salinas says showing the highly anticipated film combined with Comic Con kicking off this weekend will draw in large crowds.

Security measures are in place to keep everyone safe.

“Just well prepared for it,” said Maya Cinemas manager Holly Ackerman. “We just know everything we have to get done and all of our staff is well prepared for everything as well.”

Other theaters across the country are also tightening protection services.

Some will wand patrons, hire more security guards and even off duty officers as well as check bags and purses.

Some movie goers even got an email saying to check with their local theaters bag and costume guidelines.

“They can wear it outside and for the Comic Con, they go outside and hang out with those,” said Ackerman. “But inside the theater they cannot wear any sort of that stuff at all.”

The theaters says so far things have gone smoothly and they do not expect that to change.

Other local theaters tell us they are also beefing up security efforts but would not disclose exactly what they’re doing.