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Jupiter Police Department adds extra patrols ahead of ‘Joker’ screening

Posted at 6:42 PM, Oct 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-04 05:03:34-04

JUPITER, Fla. — Jupiter Police Department has added extra patrols this weekend around the Cinepolis theatre due to security concerns surrounding the movie "Joker."

Security measures have increased at movie theaters across the country after a warning from the U.S. Army about the movie "Joker." Officials first sent an internal email then a memo about the possibility of a mass shooting at an unspecified theater.

The Army later said they’re not aware of a specific credible threat to a particular venue or location. The FBI is also monitoring online threats.

MORE: What you can and can't wear if you're going to see 'Joker'

Movie chains AMC and Cobb banned face masks or face paintings inside their theaters.

Landmark Theaters, IPIC, and Cinepolis went one step further and banned costumes outright.

Moviegoers in Jupiter were not concerned.

“I feel like I’m in a really safe place,” Robert Higgins said as he went inside Cinepolis to see 'Joker.' “This area in particular, so I’m not worried about it here. Maybe if I was somewhere else.”

"Joker" depicts the life of an outcast, struggling with mental health, who turns to violence.

The movie won’t be shown at the cinema in Aurora, CO where a man dressed as the Joker shot and killed 12 people in 2012 during a screening of a Batman movie.

The director of "Joker" said he does not believe his movie inspires violence.

“The movie makes statements about lack of love, childhood trauma, lack of compassion in the world and I think people can handle that message,” Todd Phillips said.

Across the country, from Los Angeles to New York, police have added extra patrols.

In South Florida, only Jupiter police said they had added extra patrols. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, West Palm Beach police, Delray Beach police and Port St. Lucie.

Police said they had not been asked by cinemas for added security.

The bottom line for movie fans: If you plan to watch any movie over the weekend, don’t bring a backpack or wear a face mask.