Movie theaters get extra security after Colo. shooting - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indiana police are reacting to reassure moviegoers in the wake of fatal shootings at a Colorado theater.

Anderson police officers were on duty Friday night at Mounds Mall's movie theaters. It's a regular off-duty assignment with new significance after a gunman killed 12 in Aurora outside Denver Thursday night.

"Two officers will be out there. One will be in the common area of the mall, one officer will be directly inside the theater itself," said Anderson Police Lt. Joel Sandefur said.

He says the intent is, as always, be a deterrent to any type of crime. In this case, he said, "give patrons reassurance that we are diligent (and aware) of the possibility somebody could come in there and cause trouble and maybe a copycat. To deter that."

Dillon Chappel's dad was glad to hear that as he bought tickets for "The Dark Knight Rises." So was George Stevens, who was waiting for his daughter and grandchildren to exit a show.

"Nowadays, you don't know what's going to happen," Stevens said.

He wonders what got into Colorado gunman James Holmes' mind that he would turn his guns on a crowded theater. Stevens says he is reassured by the police presence, but said, "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen whether they are there or not. And sometimes, they can't be everywhere at once."

Up the road in Alexandria, police will spend more time this weekend making their presence known around the Alex Theater. They will patrol there between stops patrolling the county fair.

Not that they expect anything, a police captain there told Eyewitness News. Their presence is just to reassure people.

"Crazy people in the world. Can't do anything about it," movie goer Evan Courter said.