Your Dolls and Security Officers-ever a problem?

Mall 'rent-a-cops' can't do anything. If they are not a police force, they are not allowed to carry any weapons. I think at best they may get mace or maybe (but not likely) a taser if it is a high status mall. depending on the area, they might get a club of some sort. These people are not police officers and have almost litterally no authority, so if an incident arrises they have to call 911. Even the laws about the detainment of an offender (like if someone is caught shoplifting) are sketchy in regards to security guards. Each area is going to have it's own rules, but for the most part (within the US anyway) you'll find that mall security guards are pushovers acting like they have more power than they really do.

As for rules, the only rules that should ever cause a problem should be group sizes and photographs. Some malls do not like large gatherings unless it has been preapproved and most stores do not appreciate the photos so most malls have rules against photos. But those are more-or-less common sense rules. and if there is a serious question about it, you can ask them for a written copy of the mall rules and policies. They have to show it to you if you ask them. I know I don't like to be difficult, so I just usally go about my own business when something comes up so that I am not causing any trouble (and I have gotten into a spat with a security guard or two over the years, but never over dolls since I am a new doll owner and have not gone out with them much), but as a patron of the mall you do have rights and if you think you are being harrassed you have a right to see in writing what rules the security guard believes you are violating.

 

I took my 60CM boy to a fairly fancy mall once and got stared at a lot but security left me alone. I bet it depends on the type of mall and people that generally shop there. If an officer took my doll...oh my gosh the ensuing pain......

 

I know my mall has that "No groups larger than 5" rule. But, as a mall employee, all the security guards know me. I doubt they'd give me any trouble, since they know who I am, where I work, and am always nice to them (I make sure I smile, say hello, ask them how they are, when they stop in the store). I've walked around with my boy before. Had him on my shoulder. I got stares of course, but the worst I got was comments from ym coworkers (they were teasing of course. They don't understand the appeal, but they know that I'm really into the hobby). Biggest question I'm facing right now is- Do I take my boy on family vacation with me in april. It'll involve a plane ride..

 

I haven't had any problems with security officers so far. I did get a rather strange look from a TCA agent at the airport when I put my doll bag through the x-ray machine on the way to ACen though. XD

 

I went to wallie world with my girl the first day she was home and didn't even need a sticker. Of course, I don't think they even noticed her...a couple stared at me and an old lady might have crossed herself...


The subway people thought she was odd though, but my classmates liked her. Never had any problems with my college security staff, but they're used to stranger. Art school and all we've got a guy that wears a top hat and six inch heeled knee boots. So me and my violin case don't register.

Much.

 

This thread is perfect for what happened a few days ago. My ex and i went to boulder and strolled around with our boys. We stopped in front of the courthouse for piccus. A couple people stared and gave mixed looks. Then suddenly a sheriff vehicle drives by, stops, then continues on. A minute later a sheriff pops up from the other side of the courthouse and asks if we're up to mischievous things. Of course i said yes xD

He asked about asked about the dolls and we informed him we were taking pics and he said that was cool. He was just doing his job so it wasn't terrible. He was pretty cool actually.

 

I have taken Artemys to all of the local malls and even some malls in neighboring towns with me, and never has a security guard, or rent a cop even given me a second glance.
Do they seriously stop you from wearing certain clothes to the mall? isn't that some kind of infringement on human rights?
To stop you from wearing baggy clothes is silly! I've walked around my mall with spikes, chains, slanderous t-shirts, full metal finger armor, and whatever other potentially eye-catching things and no one has ever said 'boo' to me. Then again, I live in Canada, and things are pretty Lax here... But I still can't imagine being restricted in clothing at a MALL. (School I can see.)

Anyway, I take my boy with me everywhere, out in the open in my arms and he's as safe as safe can be with me. I've never heard of these kinds of problems at malls before, even when I take him to downtown Toronto with me! (I live in Brampton, a town right next to Toronto)

Edit: WAI!!!!! I just scrolled up and read about the "No groups larger than 5" rule.
SERIOUSLY? They can DO that?
Wow.... I honestly did not know that they did stuff like that in the world! Here, I've walked with groups of more than 20! And no one ever says anything! And I'm talking about teenagers and everything! all dressed Gothy, lolita, you name it. I'm not being sarcastic, I really am shocked.

 

Just had to ask.... Were you in Brampton for that Canada day? Because that happened to my boyfriend and I as well last year. It was ridiculous!
Just curious! ^__^

 

Usually yes, I live near lots of super markets and shopping malls. When I walk in with my doll, their is a security guard (Which I'm highly familiar with) there, I walk with my parents to the food supply section and he tells us to stop, I turn around, I see gleaming greedy eyes staring at my doll but he says, leave the doll in his care. My eyes widen and I say a big, fat, hairy, smelly NO! So he just sticks a tag on it. Lol

 

Not all "security officers" but...

I've been asked if I've paid for one of mine when I took him into Wal-mart once. >.> Now I avoid that by putting him/her/them in my messenger bag if I have one of 'em out with me.

I also made the mistake of carrying around Io when I was at an antique mall and got stopped cause I was walking out "without paying for him." WUT? I really fail to see how a brand-spanking new dollie boy can be mistaken as antique... (I got a warning and was told that if I ever brought him again I had to CHECK HIM IN AND LEAVE HIM AT THE FRONT COUNTER. Uh...NO THANKS.)

Mall security doesn't bother me because I've worked at the mall for over a year and know half the guards by name. And they know I can kick their butts if they mess with me for no good reason. :P (I hate my mall's security guards since 90% of them are idiot men who hit on teenage girls).

 

I've worked as a security guard for the last 5 years and we get told to do alot of stuff where they don't give us a reason to what we are doing. I would have no problem with people going around with a doll with them as i have done it a few times myself (but not BJD's) Here in Australia well N.S.W anyway if security think you've stolen it they actually have to see you pick it up put it on your person and leave the store with it without loosing sight of you otherwise they have unlawfully arrested you (bad for all invovlved) i think most other places have a similar sort of practice even though alot of companies policies contradict the law unknowingly (As i found out doing loss prevention) There is no need for security to be rude to you about your dolls and if they are make a complaint about them to center management (if you are in a shopping center of some sort) The only worry i would have is if someone tried to steal your bag that your doll is in.

 

I have only had one incident. I packed up two of my dolls in my Volks carry to fly from Pittsburgh to a small town in Texas. Pittsburgh security only asked a couple of curious questions about the dolls, which they saw in x-ray but kept the line moving. They were only curious.

McAllen security, on the other hand, was just a thorn. It was a small town airport and they gave me SO much trouble. They had me unpack the carrier, which was carefully packed to fit two large dolls. Anyway, it was just pathetic. They even poked at the eye putty, insinuating that it could be a plastic explosive.

Ridic. Of course, I was already full of tears because I was going to miss my family and friends. Manage finally came and told the security guard to leave me alone, telling her that "They are just dolls. Let her through."

 

No, I'm over in Victoria, BC...kind of upsetting to know that the same kind of bologna is happening across the country, though!

Normally I agree with whoever it was that said Canada is more relaxed than the US about such things (was that you as well, Kuromori?), but I feel like we're moving more and more towards the same sort of ridiculous security-supported fearmongering (because seriously, I know shoplifting and youth violence is a problem, but picking on kids because they don't fit your idea of "normal, well-adjusted youth" is not a very scientific/reliable way of cracking down on the real issues). Ah well, state of the world and all that...

 

When I'm walking around with my doll as company I make sure I walk in to the premises holding my doll and I can be sure that the doorman and/or CCTV has seen me enter with my property. I then usually put the dolly away in my bag...or if I don't enter holding my dolly, I keep them in my bag at all times. I don't want to stick property stickers on my dolls and I don't want to check them in at the desk either. As long as security and CCTV have seen you enter with your property they have no grounds to hold you or confiscate your dolls.

I don't know what I'm going to do when me and my family go to Egypt in May. I know airport security can be a nightmare, I don't know what I'd do if Egyptian airport security started having a go at me, I'd have no clue what they were saying. At the same time, there are just too many good photo ops in Egypt for a BJD, I don't want to leave them behind!

 

I'm sorry you had such a negative experience, and the screening manager did the right thing. You can comment about your experience at tsa.gov/blog, or dhs.gov. The comments are read and sent to the managers of that airport, and I would encourage any forum members to add their feedback to the above sites.

Personally, after a couple hundred hours or more operating an airport x-ray, I would never pack my doll in a soft-sided carrier bag onto an airplane. Your seatmate next to you may decide to pack his 80-pound duffle bag filled with floor tile samples next to it in the overhead bin (this is why I never sit in the aisle seat if I can help it, because "contents of the overhead bin may shift while in flight"). Get a hard case, like a Pelican case, and pack your doll unstringed into it if you plan on taking it into the cabin of the aircraft with you.

(Yes, I work in an airport. I wear a blue shirt. I've seen more than you can possibly want to ever know or imagine. I think, after nearly two years in my position, I know exactly what I'm talking about. Anyone with questions specifically concerning dolls and airport security is welcome to send me a PM, and I will attempt to answer the best that I can.)

 

I have an odd habit of taking my DD Avesha to the casino with me. It was never a problem in any casinos in Nevada, but our local one here in town took issue with it. Normally I prop Avesha next to me or on my lap if the dealer says "no items on the table" I play blackjack.

The local casino decided I couldn't bring her because I might have a CAMERA in her head. (she doesn't have removable eyes since she i the closed eye DD head) First, 21 is a game to me, if I have to count cards or cheat, that's too much like work. Second, the casino uses 6 DECKS, I've never even heard of a card counter that could work a system using that many decks.

I told them they were welcome to ban my doll, but I never cheat and I have a BIG mouth. In a town of 3000 people, word travels fast and while they might think I'm a nut for taking a doll gambling, people would think they were being dicks for not allowing the doll. They allowed the doll, with instructions to staff to inspect the head for cameras, which they never did.

 

When I went home for Christmas break in December I was really nervous about bringing Bynx and Churro with me. Luckily I had a carrier that I could use as a purse also. I didn't get questioned about my dolls, but when it was going through the Xray I noticed the lady stop a moment and make a "Wtf?" face. But it moved on and no further problems. I kept the carrier under the seat infront of me too on the plane ride, so no worries about over head compartments

 

The smaller the airport, the stupider the security is.

Jacksonville, Florida: Always when I fly out of there, my dolls get the third degree. Taken out, unwrapped, swabbed for explosives...blah blah BLAH.
Baltimore-Washington International: They squint at the x-ray, I say "They're dolls" and the bag gets passed through.
Norfolk, Virginia: See Jacksonville.
Atlanta Hartsfield International: "What are those?" "Dolls." "Oh, do you make them yourself?" "Nope, not that talented." "Have a good day!"
Tallahassee, Florida: Dolls are taken out and looked at, but usually not unwrapped or swabbed.

I've never been stopped by non-airport security officers because of my doll. I think the fact that I am usually dressed nicely plus I walk like a New Yorker, keep my purse straps wrapped around my wrist as if I'll use it to club you should you touch me, and have the default you-just-try-it scowl on my face (known to deter males with sinister interests and criminals) makes them leave me alone. The only time I've ever had anything like that happen was an Orlando "greeter" on a Segway at Lake Eola this year...I thought she was staring at me suspiciously. Nope, she just thought my little one was gorgeous and asked for a closer look, lol!

Don't dress like like Hot Topic and Wet Seal vomited on you, don't skulk, and always look like you have somewhere to be. I look like a teenager despite now being on the downhill rush to 30, so this is what I've learned in the many years of being treated like a teen til I whip out the ID and make them feel like idiots.

 

You know... I don't go to the mall that often, but I don't think I've even seen the security guys there. I'm sure we have them, but they must be ninjas or something, I swear. And with how I dress you'd think I'd be an obvious target for cop-stalking (strange mix of raver/goth/punk).

I've never brought my doll to the mall, but I do bring him into the fabric store, the book store, drug store, et cetera. Pretty much anywhere I go if I'm out with him, except restaurants because then he risks getting something spilled on him. I get some strange looks but I've never had anyone tell me to leave or felt like my doll wasn't welcome.

 

Yeah. I'd actually walked into the Antique Mall holding my boy (didn't have a purse on me or anything), and had been walking around for like, OVER AN HOUR, before some lady decided to stop me and ask me if she could please lock the doll back in one of the glass cabinets. I was like "What? No! This is mine." I was kind of pissed, and I don't think she believed me, even though she let us go on our way. (We left pretty immediately). >.<

If I walk into Wal-Mart holding one of my boys, they ask me if I want to return him, and immediately want to sticker him. x.x No thank you.