Letter to Editor: Emagine Policy 'Unwelcoming' to Royal Oak Teens

The following letter was sent to Royal Oak Patch by Sheryl Hunter, a Royal Oak resident:

Most of us remember our first dates going to the movies. 

That has been recently eliminated at the Royal Oak Emagine Theatre. 

My 16-year-old son and his girlfriend were dropped off at the Emagine for a double date, meeting their 17-year-old friends.  They were greeted by a Royal Oak Police officer at the ticket counter who informed them that they could not purchase tickets for any show after 6 p.m. without an ID showing that they are over 18. There was a misleading sign on the door that led them to understand that at least one person in the party had to be 17 or over. 

Upon calling the theatre, they said that their new policy is to allow 17 and older after 6 p.m. every night.  They must be accompanied by a parent or someone over 21 years old. 

I am incredibly disappointed that a movie theatre and bowling alley, potentially excellent entertainment venues for teens have become completely unwelcoming.  They wanted to see Les Miserable - a PG-13 movie! 

Have we really sunk to sending our Royal Oak teens to Madison Heights, John R AMC or Birmingham Palladium to see a movie?  These kids paid parking to see a movie.  I am relieved that they did not buy their tickets on-line just to be rejected. I think Emagine Theatre and Royal Oak Police should take action against the specific people causing them problems and not the Royal Oak teens that wanted to see a movie and have coffee before the 10:30 p.m. - 5 a.m. curfew.  

-Sheryl Hunter

Editor's note: Calls to managers on duty at Emagine Rochester and Emagine Woodhaven indicated those facilities enforce the policy on the Emagine Entertianment website, which reads as follows: No person 15 years old or younger will be admitted without a parent or guardian for any show beginning after 9 p.m. 

Spokesperson Ruth Daniels said Emagine Entertainment does not comment on their policies.

Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue said he is aware of the new policy limiting teens not accompanied by an adult at the movie theater. However, he stated that Royal Oak Police are not involved in checking IDs or enforcing the Emagine policy. Emagine provides its own security officer.