Recent Shootings Raise Questions About Night Club Security

An overnight shooting has become the fifth shooting at an Oklahoma City club since August, making some wonder if enough if being done to prevent violence outside these late night spots. <br /><br /><strong>More on News9.com:</strong> <a href="http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=11836431" target="_self">One Dead, Four Injured in Oklahoma City Club Shooting</a>

Sunday, January 17th 2010, 10:28 pm

By: News 9


By Jon, Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – An overnight shooting has become the fifth shooting at an Oklahoma City club since August, making some wonder if enough if being done to prevent violence outside these late night spots.

When it comes to preventing things like shootings and fights at night clubs, it all comes down to security. But one security expert said there are some owners that aren't taking security serious enough.

Oklahoma City Police are investigating a night club shooting at the El Dorado club in northeast Oklahoma City.

"Right now we just know we have a shooting. We don't know if it was more than one shooter," said Oklahoma City Police Lt. Daniel Stewart.

Police have been busy investigating numerous shootings at night clubs around the metro. In November, a 17-year-old was shot and killed at the Portland Events Center. In December, police arrested Nathaniel Vaughn for the shooting death of a man outside Ray Ray's Boom Boom Club on the southeast side.

"It's not surprising at all these clubs are having these fights break out and it escalates," said Jeff Porter, with Security Professionals of Oklahoma.

Jeff Porter has been working security for five years. He got his start working in night clubs, places he now refuses to work.

"Easiest way to get your foot in the door is night clubs. They will hire just about anybody," Porter said.

And those hiring practices is what Porter said is the problem. He said club owners are not taking their security serious enough, from allowing their patrons to dress and act how they want to hiring security with little, if any, experience.

"Most of them that I've come across aren't certified by the state at all. They're just someone with a shirt on, maybe a pair of handcuffs, pepper spray and a flashlight," Porter said.

Porter said if club owners want to improve security, they first need to stop paying their security personnel minimum wage and secondly hire people who know what they're doing.

Porter said to be a certified security guard you must pass a two week training course then pass a state required security test.

More on News9.com:
- One Dead, Four Injured in Oklahoma City Club Shooting
- Community Rallies to Stop Violence Following Teen's Murder
- Police Investigating Deadly Shooting at Oklahoma City Nightclub 
- Man Arrested in Deadly Nightclub Shooting
- Arrest Made in Portland Events Center Shooting
- 1 Teen Killed, 1 Injured in Weekend Shooting

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