From: corun@access.digex.com (Corun MacAnndra)
Subject: Re: Rape, women, carrying weapons
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 13:38:14 GMT


My Lords and Ladies, I bid you greeting.

Lothar von Katzenellenbogen writes;

> I feel that the problem of security (esp. against theft) at Pennsic has
> largely been ignored.


  Milord, I take personal exception to this comment. As one who has been on
the inside looking out with respect to the running of security, I can tell
you unequivocally that security has NOT been ignored at Pennsic. Excuse me
if I flame here for a bit, but I get the impression that you have never
volunteered to work a security shift at Pennsic. I strongly suggest that you
do so before you start making offhand remarks that others (myself included)
may take offense to.

  The first thing you must realize about security at Pennsic is that it is
not the mundane police, and does not have that authority any more than Dur
has had the same authority of a mundane fire marshal. Ask him, and he will 
tell you this is so. Secondly, Security is made up of volunteers, and some
of these are not quite sure exactly what the proper role is. There have been
some who wanted to act as security ninjas and not wear the tabards that are
used to identify Security to the masses. This is not allowed, we're not the
real police, and we're not the secret police. We are there to help insure
that YOU and all those attending Pennsic have as safe a time as is humanly
possible.

  On the subject of theft, if you camp alone, then you run the greater risk
of being ripped off. If you camp with a group and you get robbed, then don't
come crying to Security, but rather blame your own internal security for
failing it's duty. People will be people, and the less savory elements will
congregate where the pickings are ripe. We can do no more to eliminate them
from Pennsic than we can from society in general. If you are that concerned
about being robbed while away from your tent, then you should bring very few
valuables and either leave them locked in your car (with no guarantee that it
will not be broken into) or carry them on your person at all times. We get
very few volunteers that have ever had actual experience in security, and they
don't always know what to look for.

  On the subject of assault, since a rapist rarely works out in the open (ie.
where Security is patroling), it is nearly impossible for Security to be there
to prevent such an assault. I think that date rape is probably the biggest
danger a young woman has to face rather than an out and out assault, and this
would usually take place in someone's tent. Security doesn't go into tents
as a matter of course. In fact, Security won't violate that boundaries of an
encampment unless a danger (like an unattended fire, and I wish I had a nickel
for each one of those we've encountered in the past) is immmediately perceived.
As far as assault, if it's seen in progress, Security would be there to help.
If one is reported, then all we can do is suggest that the victim elevate it
to the mundane authorities. If this is done, a case *might* be made to the
BoD or the Curia to have the offender permanently removed from the roles of
the SCA and banned from attending any future event anywhere.

  Milord Lothar, I strongly urge you to volunteer for a couple of Security
shifts this year so that you may see what it's really like. Once you've done
that, come back here and let's talk about your experiences. You will learn 
that dealing with nearly 8,000 adults (and some of them are only alledged
adults), children, and fourth generation apartment dwellers who haven't the
common sense to realize that the hibachi they just put in their tent to keep
them warm at night will kill them first, will be quite a challenge. People
will berate you for telling them for the fourth time that the open fire they
have is banned by both the State and the Cooper's because of drought (though
this year that may be a moot point). People will blame the entire Security
staff as well as the Autocrat because one of the volunteers decided to upend
a golf cart in a ditch. It's truly a rewarding experience, and one that you
should not miss.

  I will leave you with the two rules for Pennsic that were used by Mistress
Morgana last year;

       1. If you want all the comforts of home, go home.

       2. If we can't make you have fun, we'll make fun of you.

  Come to Pennsic and have fun. Come to Pennsic and work with us. See what's
really behind the making of *your* vacation.

In Service to the Society.
Corun