False alarm but still harm

RENEE Moskowitz has hired a lawyer. Her mantra is to compel theaters to put in place emergency procedures.

In August, she was in the Shubert enjoying “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which stars Jeff Daniels. At 10 p.m. outside, motorcycles began backfiring. The loud pop-pop-pop sound was mistaken for gunshots. People screamed. Passersby ran into the theater. Theatergoers tried running out. People stormed other people.

With today’s fearsome world headlines, the repeat blasts created panic. Chaos. The thought was an active shooter. Nine were injured in the stampede. Two large men trampled Renee. Hospitalized, placed in a brace, her left wrist in a sling, she has required extensive physical therapy.

Said Renee: “Even the actors ran off the stage. No control measures are in place. I was a casualty. I could’ve been shot. To minimize a debilitating injury such as I’ve had, theaters need emergency protocols set. Possibly lock doors. Metal detectors. Check handbags. It’s ‘hide or fight.’ New York is a global destination. Broadway’s a tourist destination. Patrons must know they’re safe.

“It was bedlam. Some authority figure has to activate a button, lever or automatic control measure. There needs to be some authority figure such as a marshall on airplanes. Official management in case of emergency. Broadway theaters, many from 1900, are archaic. And not equipped with safety measures.”

The Shubert Organization’s concise response: “In all emergencies impacting security, we closely coordinate our efforts with the NYC Police Department and the security personnel of the Times Square Alliance. Individual theater responses are activated as necessary based upon the direction given by the NYC police and the specifics of the situation. Broadway has extensive security procedures in our theaters and in the Theater District with the primary purpose of protecting our theatergoers while they attend our productions.”