The controversy surrounding Joker encouraged the NYPD to take added precautions during its opening weekend, including the presence of undercover officers. The police presence will include in uniform and out of uniform officers inside the theaters. These undercover efforts will take place in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan.
Even though a police spokesperson told Deadline there is no credible threat, they still feel it’s necessary to prepare just in case. They also said big events happen in New York City all the time without any incidents. A law enforcement official also discussed the policing approach for the opening weekend of The Joker.
The spokesperson also encouraged moviegoers to be cooperative with the police. Additionally, in another security effort, the press has been banned from seeing Joker.
Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, is a DC standalone film that will dive into the origin story of Batman’s most famous villain. In the past, the Joker’s origins have always been ambiguous or a mystery. The film received high praise by film critics with the majority of them eyeing Joaquin Phoenix for an Oscar. But, some people feel the portrayal of a mistreated man that ends up violently attacking society could be a dangerous movie.
Joker releases this Friday, October 4.
