On Monday, the owner of the Drunk Horse Pub went out and purchased enough metal detector wands to arm every bouncer in the Eastern Boulevard bar.
Aside from a couple of bar fights, Thomas said the Drunk Horse hasn't had much trouble. But with many details still unknown about the country's latest mass shooting, and the deadliest in modern history, Thomas wasn't taking any chances.
"Orlando, from what I've seen, was highly organized," he said. "But we don't know yet how he got in there. Did he shoot the person at the front door? The bouncer? It's still up in the air."
As people around the world tried to make sense of the shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub, owners of bars, restaurants and theaters in the Fayetteville area talked about security measures.
The Drunk Horse Pub has always kept one metal detector at the front door, but Thomas said it wasn't enough to effectively cover the comings and goings through all the bar's exits.
The new devices are small enough to carry in a bouncer's back pocket, and they vibrate instead of emitting a beep, which could be drowned out on a busy night.
In a town with so many bar regulars who are stationed at Fort Bragg, it's likely an unnecessary precaution, Thomas added.
"There are a lot of heroes that come in here, a lot of heroes," he said.
A vigil
The shooting in Orlando hit close to home for Nick Carey, manager at Radium Nightclub.
The gay bar and dance club on Old McPherson Church Road was closed for the night by the time the first reports rolled in early Sunday morning. Carey stayed until 7 a.m. waiting for news about friends he knew were there. Among them were several drag performers, including Kenya Michaels, who was in Fayetteville recently for a show at Radium.
Carey said he was relieved to get word that they had made it out safely.
"In the club scene, it's something always in the back of your mind but you don't think it will ever come to fruition," he said.
The nightclub, which is hosting a candlelight vigil for the victims Friday, already has what Carey called pretty effective safe measures. The only way in, he said, is a magnetic door that must be opened by staff for each patron, and there is a strong presence by Fayetteville police officers.
"I still feel like there are some gaps that we need to fill in," Carey added. "So we are meeting about those options."
Crown prepared
Cumberland County's largest entertainment venue has long been prepared for any given emergency scenario, said Jim Grafstrom, general manager of the Crown Complex.
"We have a comprehensive plan in place that does address active-shooter situations," Grafstrom said.
The Crown works closely with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and Fayetteville Police Department, who are in contact with local Homeland Security "in case there is a terrorism threat," Grafstrom said.
Following the shooting in Orlando, as well as the shooting of rising pop singer Christina Grimmie at another Orlando venue the night before, Grafstrom plans to review the complex's security plan with staff.
Grimmie, a 22-year-old former contestant on NBC's "The Voice," was shot while signing autographs after a show Friday. The meet-and-greet was not unlike those frequently held at the Crown, Grafstrom said.
Few changes
Greg Kalevas has owned Chris's Steak and Seafood House for 38 years. The restaurant opened 56 years ago, he said.
"Thank God we've never had a problem," Kalevas said about violence and security issues.
But: "You never can predict who is going to come to the front door or back door," Kalevas said. "I tell my employees. if something happens, put your head down, give them the money, give them whatever they want."
Nearly 40 of the 130 people killed in last year's attack in Paris were dining at one of the several restaurants terrorists targeted in the attack. In 2012, it was moviegoers who were targeted during the mass shooting at an Aurora, Colorado, theater that killed 12.
Nasim Kuenzel owns the Cameo Art House Theatre in downtown Fayetteville with her husband, Chris. She said the theater has never had a problem with violence and doesn't plan any additional security measures.
"We've always been very cautious of anything unusual so we'll just keep doing that," she said.
Tom Quaintance, artistic director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre, said "We take our patrons' safety very seriously and continue to have conversations at the board level on how we can approach making the audience experience the best it can be," Quaintance said.Representatives from Carmike Cinemas and Stone Theatres did not return requests for comment.
Mike Sheets' family has owned Cedar Point restaurant in Spring Lake for more than 40 years. Other than a robbery years ago, Sheets said violence has never been a problem. He wasn't planning any new security measures, other than to be aware of the surroundings and possible dangers.
Sheets said he has a concealed carry permit, but has never had to use his gun.
"You never think it's going to happen, but I guess it could," he said.
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