Notes Left at Theater Set Off Spider Sense
October 8, 2015 7:51 PM Subscribe
I work at a theater. Troubling notes taped to outer wall lead to troubling, rage-filled social media presence of the isolated male signatory. Unsure what action, if any, to take in this situation but given recent events, I'm pretty freaked out. Hoping someone smart can help.
This afternoon I found several handwritten notes taped to the outer theater wall and the bulletin board next to it, all from the same fellow. I'm reluctant to go into too much detail about their contents, but it was enough to get my hackles up and search the name signed to them all. This led me to his numerous rage and resentment steeped online profiles and videos. Again, I'm not keen to go into too much detail about their contents but suffice to say this guy's output is scarily similar to what you see from these mass shooters on the news, after the fact.
This is a big damn public space I'm responsible for and it is frequently full of people I am very fond of. It chills me to have it on the radar of a guy with so many of these Timebomb traits ticked off. At the very least, he's troubled and in pain without question. I don't know if he's violent but there is plenty in his output to indicate the potential. I'm not sure what steps to take next, or if there is indeed anything I can do. Calling law enforcement about notes, angry online activity and a really bad feeling about the whole thing seems like overkill and certainly no help to this fellow if indeed he is harmless. But I don't know what my alternatives are to do my utmost to keep the people in this theater safe, in the event that he is not.
Folks who work with crowds and large public spaces: have you been in a similar situation? What did you do or would you do? Folks familiar with mental health resources for low and no income individuals, same question. I'm stumped and mighty spooked. Too many of these pressure cooked guys resort to mass violence, so I'm not inclined to ignore this but I don't know what to do,
This afternoon I found several handwritten notes taped to the outer theater wall and the bulletin board next to it, all from the same fellow. I'm reluctant to go into too much detail about their contents, but it was enough to get my hackles up and search the name signed to them all. This led me to his numerous rage and resentment steeped online profiles and videos. Again, I'm not keen to go into too much detail about their contents but suffice to say this guy's output is scarily similar to what you see from these mass shooters on the news, after the fact.
This is a big damn public space I'm responsible for and it is frequently full of people I am very fond of. It chills me to have it on the radar of a guy with so many of these Timebomb traits ticked off. At the very least, he's troubled and in pain without question. I don't know if he's violent but there is plenty in his output to indicate the potential. I'm not sure what steps to take next, or if there is indeed anything I can do. Calling law enforcement about notes, angry online activity and a really bad feeling about the whole thing seems like overkill and certainly no help to this fellow if indeed he is harmless. But I don't know what my alternatives are to do my utmost to keep the people in this theater safe, in the event that he is not.
Folks who work with crowds and large public spaces: have you been in a similar situation? What did you do or would you do? Folks familiar with mental health resources for low and no income individuals, same question. I'm stumped and mighty spooked. Too many of these pressure cooked guys resort to mass violence, so I'm not inclined to ignore this but I don't know what to do,
I personally would report those to the police after talking to your boss. Perhaps this guy is doing this in numerous locations, and it helps to have more pieces to the puzzle. You could call a non-emergency number and describe the situation and see who they connect you with. It sounds like this man is crying out for help: reaching out will help people at the theater stay safe and hopefully assist this guy in getting the help he needs.
posted by smorgasbord at 7:58 PM on October 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by smorgasbord at 7:58 PM on October 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
Call your local police's non-emergency number, and ask for advice.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:05 PM on October 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:05 PM on October 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
Definitely call the police right away. I can see you have concern for what doing so might do to this individual, but he has brought this on himself with his unsettling behavior. Your responsibility is to the safety of your patrons and employees.
posted by cecic at 8:10 PM on October 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by cecic at 8:10 PM on October 8, 2015 [6 favorites]
Yes, another thing that's getting familiar in all these stories is how many signs of potential violence the shooters leave beforehand, signs noted with retrospective regret that they weren't taken seriously before. Just call the police and let them sort it out. You'll feel better knowing you've put it into their hands.
posted by flourpot at 8:12 PM on October 8, 2015 [16 favorites]
posted by flourpot at 8:12 PM on October 8, 2015 [16 favorites]
Yes, call the cops. Then, fill your boss in. There should be 0 repercussions for going along with "See something, say something" initiative. When I had to do this once, the person in question ended up getting the help they needed.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:16 PM on October 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:16 PM on October 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
You're not his parents, you're not his friend, you're not his doctor. If you stumbled upon his website accidentally that's one thing, but you only know of him because he came to your place of work and did creepy things. When people do that, it's okay to call the authorities. The best thing for your employer is for you to do your job.
He caused harm already, so he's not harmless. If you mean maybe he's not going to shoot anything up and instead just leave shocking paper trails, someone else is going to call the police eventually so the rationale that you'd be doing more harm than good is moot.
He's either dangerous and needs to be stopped, he's off or ill and there's nothing you can do to help him anyway - not in your role - even if you call people to help him, or he's a dumb little asshole who thinks he's being funny and needs a wake-up call.
posted by good lorneing at 8:19 PM on October 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
He caused harm already, so he's not harmless. If you mean maybe he's not going to shoot anything up and instead just leave shocking paper trails, someone else is going to call the police eventually so the rationale that you'd be doing more harm than good is moot.
He's either dangerous and needs to be stopped, he's off or ill and there's nothing you can do to help him anyway - not in your role - even if you call people to help him, or he's a dumb little asshole who thinks he's being funny and needs a wake-up call.
posted by good lorneing at 8:19 PM on October 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
CALL THE POLICE, OH MY GODS.
Seriously. Please call the police. Best case scenario, some punk teen gets a scare and cleans up their act. Worst case, you might prevent another Newton or Sandy Hook.
Please. As someone who has had people close to her go through a school shooting, please, please take this seriously and call the police.
posted by Tamanna at 8:31 PM on October 8, 2015 [13 favorites]
Seriously. Please call the police. Best case scenario, some punk teen gets a scare and cleans up their act. Worst case, you might prevent another Newton or Sandy Hook.
Please. As someone who has had people close to her go through a school shooting, please, please take this seriously and call the police.
posted by Tamanna at 8:31 PM on October 8, 2015 [13 favorites]
nthing call the cops, give them the notes and this jerk's info. Perhaps also alert your higher-ups, they might want to have an officer around in the near term. Hope it is nothing, prepare and wargame that it is worst case. You have a duty here to the theater and the public who go into it. We left the age of "harmless eccentric" a long time ago.
posted by vrakatar at 8:38 PM on October 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by vrakatar at 8:38 PM on October 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
Don't worry about this not being "big enough" to report to the cops. The old ladies in my neighborhood call the cops if they see teenagers waking down the street in the middle of a school day. Please call right away.
posted by dawkins_7 at 8:46 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by dawkins_7 at 8:46 PM on October 8, 2015
This is a "see something, say something" scenario. Your next step is to call the police. They will determine whether the threat is serious enough to warrant their follow up.
If I were in your position, after I talked to the police I would talk to the powers that be about upping your security for the facility, until you can reasonably determine that your facility is no longer the center of his focus.
posted by vignettist at 9:14 PM on October 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
If I were in your position, after I talked to the police I would talk to the powers that be about upping your security for the facility, until you can reasonably determine that your facility is no longer the center of his focus.
posted by vignettist at 9:14 PM on October 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
You are not overreacting. Call the cops, or go in person to the police station.
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:03 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:03 PM on October 8, 2015
He didn't leave these notes in the theater accidentally. He posted them on the wall, clearly intending to announce his feelings. His posting the notes should be taken as a serious potential threat. Call the cops immediately. If they tell you to forget about it, I'd say hire some extra security. Like, quality security.
I'm not trying to scare you. It could well be that he's just an angry little nerd who would never hurt anybody. But if he's writing angry manifestos that remind you of guys who go on shooting sprees, and he's posting them on the wall of your venue, that is very worrisome indeed.
I can understand not wanting to mess up this guy's life, worrying that he's harmless and you might get him in trouble over nothing. But what he's done isn't nothing. If nothing else, he wants people at some theater to be afraid of him. Even to get to that point, he's got to be pretty messed up. Alerting the police won't necessarily lead to him getting tossed in jail, but it will get him noticed by the authorities at least and maybe it will lead to him getting the kind of help he needs.
TLDR: Posting this stuff on the wall of your theater is a threatening act. Call the cops, hire some really good security.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 1:02 AM on October 9, 2015 [11 favorites]
I'm not trying to scare you. It could well be that he's just an angry little nerd who would never hurt anybody. But if he's writing angry manifestos that remind you of guys who go on shooting sprees, and he's posting them on the wall of your venue, that is very worrisome indeed.
I can understand not wanting to mess up this guy's life, worrying that he's harmless and you might get him in trouble over nothing. But what he's done isn't nothing. If nothing else, he wants people at some theater to be afraid of him. Even to get to that point, he's got to be pretty messed up. Alerting the police won't necessarily lead to him getting tossed in jail, but it will get him noticed by the authorities at least and maybe it will lead to him getting the kind of help he needs.
TLDR: Posting this stuff on the wall of your theater is a threatening act. Call the cops, hire some really good security.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 1:02 AM on October 9, 2015 [11 favorites]
The same rule as suicide threats applies here. Most suicide threats are not carried out. Doesn't matter, you get the guy help. You don't worry about mucking up his life by getting him assessed. You don't try to handle it alone.
Cho Chang (probably got the name wrong) said in his note that they had a million chances (to intervene in his loneliness and misery?) and nobody took any of them. This guy has just given you a chance.
posted by Jane the Brown at 4:04 AM on October 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Cho Chang (probably got the name wrong) said in his note that they had a million chances (to intervene in his loneliness and misery?) and nobody took any of them. This guy has just given you a chance.
posted by Jane the Brown at 4:04 AM on October 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
I try to avoid calling the police, but I would probably call them here. But first, I would try calling the county's mental health services (or the city's, etc) so I got a better picture of what could happen if the guy is having an episode of paranoia ad confusion that's causing him to think very differently from how he does at baseline. What I'd worry about would be a worst-case scenario where the guy is having some kind of episode and can't respond to police orders. I think that's unlikely, but worth considering.
However, I would not sit on this. Call people today, make sure there's some kind of security in the pipeline today.
It's deeply unfortunate that we don't have trustworthy police and public services. I think it's reasonable to avoid the cops where possible, but I think that between your duty to the public and the degree of worrisomeness, that adds up to needing to call. This isn't just some guy who seems odd and hangs around sometimes.
A theater with which I used to have something to do got some online harassment and both called the cops and got security. It all blew over. No one was hauled off to jail. Nothing bad happened. It could well be that the cops will take a look at this and talk to the guy and he'll just knock it off now he's gotten a reaction, which is what I think happened at our place.
posted by Frowner at 6:21 AM on October 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
However, I would not sit on this. Call people today, make sure there's some kind of security in the pipeline today.
It's deeply unfortunate that we don't have trustworthy police and public services. I think it's reasonable to avoid the cops where possible, but I think that between your duty to the public and the degree of worrisomeness, that adds up to needing to call. This isn't just some guy who seems odd and hangs around sometimes.
A theater with which I used to have something to do got some online harassment and both called the cops and got security. It all blew over. No one was hauled off to jail. Nothing bad happened. It could well be that the cops will take a look at this and talk to the guy and he'll just knock it off now he's gotten a reaction, which is what I think happened at our place.
posted by Frowner at 6:21 AM on October 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Calling law enforcement about notes, angry online activity and a really bad feeling about the whole thing seems like overkill and certainly no help to this fellow if indeed he is harmless.
NOT OVERKILL. CALL COPS NOW. Go in and show them the notes.
There is no best case scenario because the worst case scenario is too awful to contemplate. It doesn't matter if it's a .000001% chance. He put these notes at a place and signed them. He wants people to "hear" him and if no one does...
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:29 AM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
NOT OVERKILL. CALL COPS NOW. Go in and show them the notes.
There is no best case scenario because the worst case scenario is too awful to contemplate. It doesn't matter if it's a .000001% chance. He put these notes at a place and signed them. He wants people to "hear" him and if no one does...
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:29 AM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I should add, I do not agree with the media conflating mental illness and mass shootings. However, angry, isolated people and mass shootings? You said he appears to be both from his online writings.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:41 AM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:41 AM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I just want to clarify: In my life, I have witnessed people with unmanaged mental illness do nominally "threatening" things (that wouldn't have killed anyone in the moment) and get treated badly by cops. Cops around here have shot people who were doing the whole paranoid shouting/disturbing behavior thing. I think it's good to allow for the possibility that someone is ill when something seems really off, precisely because we live in a society that doesn't care for people when they are ill.
My thought about calling the county isn't "oh, he's doing something odd, therefore he's mentally ill, therefore he's dangerous"; it's "sometimes people who are NOT dangerous get treated as dangerous because we have terrible, one-note policing".
My great aunt (who had very well managed bipolar disorder her whole adult life) once threatened to shoot a cop while I was in the room with her and the cop who was doing the welfare check. She had slipped into an unusually grave episode which had produced paranoia and some threats. Because of our relative social privilege, the cops helped us take her to the hospital where she was able to rest, recover and deal with what turned out to have been a meds screwup. But we were lucky.
posted by Frowner at 9:33 AM on October 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
My thought about calling the county isn't "oh, he's doing something odd, therefore he's mentally ill, therefore he's dangerous"; it's "sometimes people who are NOT dangerous get treated as dangerous because we have terrible, one-note policing".
My great aunt (who had very well managed bipolar disorder her whole adult life) once threatened to shoot a cop while I was in the room with her and the cop who was doing the welfare check. She had slipped into an unusually grave episode which had produced paranoia and some threats. Because of our relative social privilege, the cops helped us take her to the hospital where she was able to rest, recover and deal with what turned out to have been a meds screwup. But we were lucky.
posted by Frowner at 9:33 AM on October 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: UPDATE: This morning, I returned to the theater to make copies of the notes to bring to the police and found another pair of notes taped to the theater. He was angry the first set of notes had come down and this new pair demanded that he be provided with a wife or girlfriend as compensation. I went to the police services station but they didn't open til nine so I walked to the coffee shop where I found another pair of notes taped to a dance club window, filled with similar grievances. All of this new set was written on the back of promo cards for upcoming shows.
Last night I spoke about this with a friend who used to work in homeless advocacy and she told me that the phrase to get the police to give a shit about your situation is to say you're concerned for the "health and safety" of the people involved. I'm glad she shared this with me because the police receptionist tried to brush me off until I said it. Talked to an officer, told him about the note-leaver's frightening, Sodino/Rodgersesque online presence, and the officer at least made and kept copies of the new notes to go with the stack of those from last night. He said he would "do his best" to check out the stuff this guy posts. Not sure what that means. Skepticism and reluctance best characterize the meeting.
So I've made contact with the law, but this doesn't feel resolved. I asked the officer for follow up suggestions and he said I should go up to this guy and talk to him if I see him near the theater again, which sounded somewhat pulled out of his ass. There isn't remotely room in our budget for private security, unfortunately. Thank you for all your help and insight, friends.
posted by EatTheWeek at 10:22 AM on October 9, 2015 [6 favorites]
Last night I spoke about this with a friend who used to work in homeless advocacy and she told me that the phrase to get the police to give a shit about your situation is to say you're concerned for the "health and safety" of the people involved. I'm glad she shared this with me because the police receptionist tried to brush me off until I said it. Talked to an officer, told him about the note-leaver's frightening, Sodino/Rodgersesque online presence, and the officer at least made and kept copies of the new notes to go with the stack of those from last night. He said he would "do his best" to check out the stuff this guy posts. Not sure what that means. Skepticism and reluctance best characterize the meeting.
So I've made contact with the law, but this doesn't feel resolved. I asked the officer for follow up suggestions and he said I should go up to this guy and talk to him if I see him near the theater again, which sounded somewhat pulled out of his ass. There isn't remotely room in our budget for private security, unfortunately. Thank you for all your help and insight, friends.
posted by EatTheWeek at 10:22 AM on October 9, 2015 [6 favorites]
I'm sorry (but not surprised) that the officer was not helpful. This guy sounds scary and dangerous.
I would pursue other avenues to look for help. Contact a local mental health agency, look for a community lead officer or some sort of area liaison within the police department.
Have you talked to the owner/workers at the coffee shop where he posted notes? Maybe if several local business owners go to the police it might have more weight.
Document everything, which it sounds like you're already doing. Who else works at the theater? Make sure they know what this guy looks like and have a plan for when the see him.
posted by mogget at 11:08 AM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would pursue other avenues to look for help. Contact a local mental health agency, look for a community lead officer or some sort of area liaison within the police department.
Have you talked to the owner/workers at the coffee shop where he posted notes? Maybe if several local business owners go to the police it might have more weight.
Document everything, which it sounds like you're already doing. Who else works at the theater? Make sure they know what this guy looks like and have a plan for when the see him.
posted by mogget at 11:08 AM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Absolutely talk to the people at the coffee shop. If they're in eyeshot of the club, they will, at the very least, be able to keep an eye out for when this guy comes back there. If he's doing it to a theater and a club, he's quite possibly going at it early in the morning.
Also, have you spoken to the people who run the theater? Do that asap.
posted by mkultra at 11:17 AM on October 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Also, have you spoken to the people who run the theater? Do that asap.
posted by mkultra at 11:17 AM on October 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
I don't have an answer, which bothers me. Suppose this happened in a country with a good social safety net. You would report it to someone, and someone would get him the help he needs. Who are those someones, and what kind of help? Does Metafilter have someone from such a country who could explain how it works there?
posted by Baeria at 12:01 PM on October 9, 2015
posted by Baeria at 12:01 PM on October 9, 2015
Take screenshots of all internet activity you find from him. Keep copies of all notes for you're own records. Keep notes of dates, times, etc for all activity. Ask the police about a restraining order. Consider contacting other businesses where you've seen his notes to coordinate efforts. Keep on the police with this. This could be a very serious situation. You're not overreacting.
posted by quince at 12:08 PM on October 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by quince at 12:08 PM on October 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
I would personally talk to the owners or managers of the businesses around you and ask them not only to watch out for suspicious activity, but provide them with the name and number of the officer you talked to and the police report number and ask them to report any similar notes (especially important for the dance club owner who you know got similar notes). One note may not get the attention that a whole neighborhood of threats does.
posted by cecic at 12:23 PM on October 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by cecic at 12:23 PM on October 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Definitely bug the owners of the affected and surrounding businesses, they're probably the most inclined to look at this from a liability standpoint and have the weight to make LE take it seriously.
posted by prize bull octorok at 12:35 PM on October 9, 2015
posted by prize bull octorok at 12:35 PM on October 9, 2015
Depending on the kind of local media you have, you could attempt to involve them and hope that they'll prod the police into action.
posted by Omnomnom at 1:32 PM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Omnomnom at 1:32 PM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm disappointed that the cops sound like they aren't going to do anything about it.
My dad used to own and run a business in a strip mall in a super-safe community. Some mentally disturbed individual started repeatedly taping violent drawings with rambling diatribes in crayon/pencil crayons to his store's door/window. Took them down whenever they showed up when he opened up in the mornings.
Called cops, got a very similar response as you did. He even had cop customers who he asked if there was anything that they could do about it and got basically shrugs.
About a week later, *probably* the guy who was posting the pictures waited for my dad to lock up at the end of the day and assaulted him very badly.
The guy was never apprehended, but the drawings/notes stopped.
I'd recommend the buddy system for all employees when they are arriving/leaving the theatre, especially if its dark out.
posted by porpoise at 1:33 PM on October 9, 2015 [9 favorites]
My dad used to own and run a business in a strip mall in a super-safe community. Some mentally disturbed individual started repeatedly taping violent drawings with rambling diatribes in crayon/pencil crayons to his store's door/window. Took them down whenever they showed up when he opened up in the mornings.
Called cops, got a very similar response as you did. He even had cop customers who he asked if there was anything that they could do about it and got basically shrugs.
About a week later, *probably* the guy who was posting the pictures waited for my dad to lock up at the end of the day and assaulted him very badly.
The guy was never apprehended, but the drawings/notes stopped.
I'd recommend the buddy system for all employees when they are arriving/leaving the theatre, especially if its dark out.
posted by porpoise at 1:33 PM on October 9, 2015 [9 favorites]
Yeah, talk to the people at the coffee shop and the nightclub, maybe ask around at some other local businesses and see if they've been hearing from this guy. Tell the cops that this delusional person is posting this scary stuff in multiple businesses and getting irate when it's taken down. Tell them he's furiously demanding you supply him with a wife or girlfriend. I don't know how restraining orders work, but it may be worth looking into.
I'm not a big fan of the Department of Homeland Security, but I wonder if it would be worth investigating their If You See Something, Say Something website campaign. There have been so many shootings, and at this point you're not paranoid for being scared. This guy is showing signs of being dangerous and this situation has to stop.
Do not attempt to talk to him, if you can possibly avoid it. The last thing you want is for him to get it in his head that you are one of the people who wronged him somehow.
I'd ask around everybody at the theater, and see if anybody knows a cop or a security person who could be there during performances. Does anybody know anything about this guy?
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:12 PM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm not a big fan of the Department of Homeland Security, but I wonder if it would be worth investigating their If You See Something, Say Something website campaign. There have been so many shootings, and at this point you're not paranoid for being scared. This guy is showing signs of being dangerous and this situation has to stop.
Do not attempt to talk to him, if you can possibly avoid it. The last thing you want is for him to get it in his head that you are one of the people who wronged him somehow.
I'd ask around everybody at the theater, and see if anybody knows a cop or a security person who could be there during performances. Does anybody know anything about this guy?
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:12 PM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, maybe look into organizations started by the families of school shooting victims. I'd guess that they could at least direct you to organizations that exist to help prevent future shooting sprees. Other potential sources of info include shelters for battered women and local newspapers.
I'm sorry you're going through this. Odds are, he's a harmless nut. But you have to treat him like he's potentially dangerous.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:22 PM on October 9, 2015
I'm sorry you're going through this. Odds are, he's a harmless nut. But you have to treat him like he's potentially dangerous.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:22 PM on October 9, 2015
I'm going to put in another vote for getting local media involved here. If any of your local TV stations have a "consumer protection" feature, that might be one way to approach ... bring your whole story to them, including how the police seem un-concerned. Might not be exactly their thing, but they could put you in touch with a news or police reporter or an assignment editor on their staff.
So many local newspapers barely do any real local reporting anymore, but you might find a police reporter who could put you in touch with someone else in the PD who would take more interest than this one officer obviously did. You are associated with a theater ... is there an arts reporter or editor who you deal with on a regular basis? Share all this info with that person and ask to be introduced to the right person on their staff.
It sounds like that one officer you spoke to really blew you off, but I can't believe that there isn't *someone* in your police department who would take this seriously. It sounds really scary, and I do hope you can keep at it with the police until you find someone who will listen to you and offer help.
posted by mccxxiii at 4:47 PM on October 9, 2015
So many local newspapers barely do any real local reporting anymore, but you might find a police reporter who could put you in touch with someone else in the PD who would take more interest than this one officer obviously did. You are associated with a theater ... is there an arts reporter or editor who you deal with on a regular basis? Share all this info with that person and ask to be introduced to the right person on their staff.
It sounds like that one officer you spoke to really blew you off, but I can't believe that there isn't *someone* in your police department who would take this seriously. It sounds really scary, and I do hope you can keep at it with the police until you find someone who will listen to you and offer help.
posted by mccxxiii at 4:47 PM on October 9, 2015
Check with other people involved with the theater to see if any of them might know someone in law enforcement or mental health in your local area that you can talk to.
You can do this without saying why you are seeking that.
Buddy system for people going to their cars when they leave.
Consider telling other people involved with the theater about the incidents. I don't know if it is or isn't appropriate for your situation, but think about if it is. Even if it's just specific trusted people who can help with making sure no one is walking to their car alone.
posted by yohko at 6:13 PM on October 9, 2015
You can do this without saying why you are seeking that.
Buddy system for people going to their cars when they leave.
Consider telling other people involved with the theater about the incidents. I don't know if it is or isn't appropriate for your situation, but think about if it is. Even if it's just specific trusted people who can help with making sure no one is walking to their car alone.
posted by yohko at 6:13 PM on October 9, 2015
The suggestion to "go up to this guy" is disturbingly irresponsible to me. I think the suggestion to involve the media is a good one. Does your police force have a twitter or facebook presence? Posting your concerns in a public forum may generate a better response. If you have a local news radio station, try there. I work in radio and this sort of thing would not be brushed off here, and we also have well established working relationships with the police. We have had a listener stab through the plate glass window of our building before, because of messages he believed the DJ was giving him. Whether or not this person has any real potential for violence, it seems to me that law enforcement should be doing a bit more to discern that, instead of leaving it to you.
posted by gennessee at 9:33 PM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by gennessee at 9:33 PM on October 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: UPDATE 2: Sent photo and notification of this situation to theater staff. Sought out the help of our town's homeless and community advocacy outfit to see if they were familiar with this fellow at all. Another note on one of our cards about misandrist conspiracy and the "hypocrisy" of everyone on the planet but him on the bulletin board next to the theater when I was there. He is mostly known for his notes around town, I'm finding out.
Screenshots collected of the scarier portions of his online activity. Putting together a brief notice sheet with his photos to share and discuss with neighboring businesses, including the dance club and coffee shop with the other pair of notes. Making first of a series of followup calls to the officer I spoke to Monday. My boss has friends in the police department who might be able to get some actual movement on this. Meeting with the head of that community advocacy group on Tuesday to see if they have any ideas.
About to add volunteer security slots (which we usually only ask for at big drunk concerts and shows) to our regular film series schedule and an hugely depressed at the prospect. The media idea is interesting, but I want to give law enforcement a chance before escalating things to that level.
I am working though some very angry feelings towards this fellow.
posted by EatTheWeek at 4:58 PM on October 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Screenshots collected of the scarier portions of his online activity. Putting together a brief notice sheet with his photos to share and discuss with neighboring businesses, including the dance club and coffee shop with the other pair of notes. Making first of a series of followup calls to the officer I spoke to Monday. My boss has friends in the police department who might be able to get some actual movement on this. Meeting with the head of that community advocacy group on Tuesday to see if they have any ideas.
About to add volunteer security slots (which we usually only ask for at big drunk concerts and shows) to our regular film series schedule and an hugely depressed at the prospect. The media idea is interesting, but I want to give law enforcement a chance before escalating things to that level.
I am working though some very angry feelings towards this fellow.
posted by EatTheWeek at 4:58 PM on October 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
Be *afraid* of the guy. He has mental health issues. Be *angry* at the cops who aren't taking this seriously. Try to get the other neighbouring businesses to call the police about disturbing notes too. Also, you and all the businesses in your area should be very cautious about staff leaving late at night.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 6:35 PM on October 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 6:35 PM on October 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Thank you for your update. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things to keep yourself and others safe as possible. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this right now, and I wish you luck! xoxo
posted by smorgasbord at 8:21 PM on October 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by smorgasbord at 8:21 PM on October 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would reach out to your city council or local representative, whoever is in place that could be a voice of authority with the police department, with the other business owners. The response the police gave you is lazy and in the event that your note writer does take it further, potentially negligent. Completely unacceptable.
posted by deliciae at 11:58 AM on October 18, 2015
posted by deliciae at 11:58 AM on October 18, 2015
Response by poster: FINAL UPDATE - After hearing from multiple additional citizens, businesses and the community group I engaged with, the police finally began to give a shit about this issue. Officers have made contact and the notes have stopped for now. Part of this law enforcement contact, they told me, would include mental health assessments and threat assessments, with the possibility of involuntary committal for further assessments. Haven't seen him or his postings for some time, but everyone at the theater knows of the issue now and knows who to watch out for.
Thank you for your support and guidance, Metafilter.
posted by EatTheWeek at 2:28 PM on October 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
Thank you for your support and guidance, Metafilter.
posted by EatTheWeek at 2:28 PM on October 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
« Older Taking the game to another level. | Filling in the gaps between Munich and Milan (or a... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by alphanerd at 7:55 PM on October 8, 2015 [72 favorites]