The Marion County Athletic Boosters experienced a $6,000 theft in a bingo hall robbery. Two men, masked and armed with guns, came into the bingo establishment hollering for money. They entered through the unlocked back door.
Bingo Hall in Marion County, Ohio
Tom Cotton operates the bingo night. He hit the floor when he looked up into the barrels of a couple of pistols. Cotton said that the robbers walked directly into his office yelling, as he and another employee were counting the revenue from the bingo night. Cotton’s co-worker also hit the floor. Since no one went after the thieves, the sheriff’s office has no vehicle description and no knowledge of the robbers’ direction once they left the bingo hall.
Sheriff Tim Bailey is without current leads in the case. Bailey commented that gloves, ski masks and hooded sweatshirts covered the identity of the robbers.
Marion County Athletic Boosters
Five years ago, the Marion County Athletic Boosters launched a bingo fundraising activity. The Marion Athletics Boosters Bingo Hall has been in operation ever since, hosting bingo three nights a week. Bingo proceeds have substantially contributed to the sports program and band at five county schools.
Marie Yoder, a local resident, has been enjoying bingo at the Booster’s Bingo Hall since it opened in 2007. She is happy to be supporting her community schools. Yoder said that the October 1 robbery was the first difficulty encountered at the bingo hall. According to Yoder, there are children in the county whose parents do not have the financial means to pay for sports activities. The Boosters Bingo Hall takes up the slack, making sports and band available to all of the children in Marion County.
The cash taken in the robbery may not be permanently lost as the Marion County Athletic Boosters are insured. They expect to re-coop all, or at least a portion, of the money stolen. Tne positive result of the theft is heightened security. The Boosters have hired one or more security guards, and the back door is now kept locked.
Hollywood Casino Columbus
In another area of Ohio, many gamers and casino employees are looking forward to the October 8 opening of Hollywood Casino Columbus. Security is one of the top priorities of the casino. Cameras dot the ceiling, and security guards will be everywhere.
Anthony Dillard, Casino security supervisor, recently acknowledged that a large number of security guards have been hired. He commented that a few of the many potential security risks at casinos involve possible terrorists, card cheats and Ocean’s Eleven heists. Dillard also said that the casino is prepared for potential gang violence. However, the greatest probability of security problems arises through the emotional mix of alcohol and cash.
The goal of a security system is two-fold: The actual safety of the casino and imparting to players a comfortable feeling of safety. Bingo halls are slowly learning the lessons of casinos. To ensure the safety of the players and employees, as well as provide a secure feeling, an increasing number of bingo halls are equipped with cameras and guards. Meeting the challenges of the 21st century is essential for every enterprise.
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