This morning's G.I. Joe parachute drop turned ugly when adult collectors battled children for the 300 12-inch dolls dropped from the top of the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Before the drop, organizers explained that the dolls were for the children in attendance. One collector tried to leave with the toy, but a woman refused to let him get away.
In this video, Monica Wilson, child in tow, chases a collector and demands that he give up a Crimson Guard doll.
Here, Wilson explains why she went after the guy, who tried to quickly walk away from her.
Becky Savage, a staffer with the convention who threatened to take away the collector's convention credentials, explains that collectors were reluctantly relinquishing the toys to children.
Here's the collector (didn't catch his name) the woman chased down. He wasn't happy that his toy was taken away.
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Yes it's sad that some adults act this way but you know when your a collector some times you loss focus of whats right and wrong and will do just about anything to get what you want. It doesn't always make seance but is often true. I'm 51 years old and a collector and would have liked to have one of those toys but not at that cost.
They should have had more of them to give away to the collectors. You know G.I.Joe is a vintage toy and most collectors like myself are 40 years old or older.
Looks to me like the whole thing was just poorly run!!!
I attended this with my husband and left the kids at home. I snagged one of the Crimson Guard figures for my son, but since he wasn't there I had to give it back and let a child have it. I was ok with that and went on with my weekend. The hotel and the staff of JoeCon should of set something up much better than they did. I witnessed a couple of kids getting knocked down. As luck would have it the one I got landed near my husband and I. at the Canadian G.I. Joe Convention in May and last year the staff was always around to ensure children weren't hurt at the free-toy table (they give away joe toys there). Kids were allowed the first pick before the adults where. I wish the U.S. convention did that without allowing the adults anywhere near the children. Sad.
Where did Crown Center find these guards, I archived that Hallmark link that Midtown Mike mentioned, that is disturbing! Do these dudes carry firearms? We saw them in the retail area, they looked "mean" so I know what you are talking about.
The Gi Joe convention was just OK, they should not bring this back to the Hyatt if the Hyatt and Crown Center can't handle an event of this magnitude. Last weekend, we traveled from Omaha and stayed at the Westin.
I hope 2010's show is better staffed and organized, enough embarrasment, hopefully many can learn from this blunder.
Hey I saw one of those security guys walking off with one of those dolls and I said "hey ain't they for the kids?" and he said it was for his bosses grandkid, and I told him that wasn't right and the guard said he new it was wrong but if he didn't do as he was told he would be fired, said they gotta do alot of things that ain't on the up and up . He looked sad . must suck to work under those conditions
I remember reading about this crown center place a year or so ago in the pitch.
why would anyone put their kids in harms way at a place like that that dosn't provide security ? or should I say security that is not trained or just dosn't give a rats ass ?
we are not from the kansas city area and have never been to this place but if we ever pass through we will be sure to take the long way around this place.
security for any event at the crown center complex is lax these days, has been for years, anyone that lets their kids go there for anything should reconsider.
Used to be you would see security everywhere and they would be helpful, now if you are luckey enough to see one they can't answer a simple question or give you directions...... Sad, I still drop by once in awhile as I work in the area but I take the family elsewhere these days.
Used to be Crown Center was the only place "In Town" not anymore...
Talked to some shop owners and they said some managment folks that have been around for years have run the place in the ground ?
Why does Hallmark let this continue ? I don't get it ? Anybody have an answer ?
I was there on Friday morning as well, Mr. Smith, let's keep the drop,it's become an intriquite part of this event, let's just find an organization that properly staffs events as this, it's obvious from reading these posts, the folks at Crown Center aren't staffed, trained and/ or equipped to handle such events.
Who's that Carol O # 326? She went back into a dock office, she didn't want to assist? What's with that? Those were her own words, what a cluster f--k!
I was there as well and it is typical to see deperate adult collectors behaiving this way at these sorts of events. As bad as that behavior is, what was worse was the GIJoe Collector Club staff screaming at children who they said they were trying to protect from falling toys. All the chutes were on the ground and the staff started picking them up while yelling at kids (who they told could run and pick up a toy) about staying back. It was shameful, but much better than last year when they dropped smaller figures from a toy helicopter and the toys flew into busy traffic with dozens of kidss running after them causing several minor accidents. Bottom line is the parachute drop should be dropped from the convention activities in lieu of more child friendly activities.
They were giving away collectible toys? And toy collectors were trying to get them?
Outrage!
Adults acting like idiots, an absentee Security Staff, Crown Center pretending and hiding like nothing ever happened, sweeping things under the carpet,yep, just another day in the life at good ol Crown Center.
Miss Summers, I know the people that manage CC, had many conversations with them in the past about how they handle things, especially there workforce. They know me as well, I'm down there all the time, know many of those in Security, the stories they tell, and how they are managed and treated, can't blame them for acting the way they do, it's still no excuse for not being where they should have been and handling this event.
They ( and I mean that Security Staff) are notorius in the community, Hell, the Pitch did an article about them, like in May of 2008, you can archive it in the search box, just type in Hallmark, there's an article
that will give you some insight to how(their management staff) treat there workforce. Just call them, or stop by and see them, I have, You know that TV Show, "Spin City" that's how they will speak to you, so be prepared, Mike from Midtown
Monica! you rock, Great job, proud of you!
Looks like you are on of a few that stood up for the little ones.
As for these adults that acted like idiots, and to the Convention Event Manager that didn't provide ample security for everyones safety, Shame on all of you!
Where was security? Why wasn't this "drop" properly staffed with security staff to prevent such a mess!
Hadn't been down to Crown Center in a long time,after watching the video on You Tube, and reading these accounts, doesn't look as if I have any reason as well to return there anytime soon! Karen Summers, Hyde Park area.
In the future, if/ when any future GI Joe conventions land at the Hyatt, Parents and Adults that act like idiots, taking away plastic toys from small children, maybe they should have to perform community service with this Crown Center Security outfit, from these posts,seems like they dropped the ball on this event, this is disgusting, Way to go Kansas City!
To Darren, I was present at the "frenzy" on Friday morning, I saw a Crown Center Security dude sitting in a gray or white SUV type vehicle across from where the drop had occurred and basically drove off when chaos began!
The event was very disorganized, adult behavior at it's worse, all for a little toy soilder! Don't you have real jobs you GI Joe collectors to be at on a Friday morning instead of abusing little kids for a doll!?
You wonder why our country is so screwed up, perfect example last Friday morning at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center grounds! I won't be returning to Crown Center as well, grown men and women acting like a bunch of dumb- asses, Dan Williams Kansas City
To Darren, I was in the middle of the frenzy on Friday morning, total lack of security, I saw no K.C.P.D. Officers as well.
We saw this advertised during the week, that's what drew us down there in the 1st place.
Adult behavior at it's worse, Crown Center Security has a bad reputation around Kansas City, I've read about them in the past in the Pitch and other media outlets.
You think the management back would have learned so this doesn't suprise me in the least! I saw security sitting across the street in a white or gray colored SUV, then drove off.
The folks who put on this event need to look long and hard as to who their event planner was, because whoever he or she was, seriously dropped the ball, young children could have gotten hurt, Whoever runs the Exhibition Hall as well, needs to be reprimanded.
Darren, I as well will not be returning to the Hyatt or Crown Center for that matter in the future, to me this borders on something that could have gotten kids hurt, due to adult- inmature behavior, black eye for Kansas City, saw this on a couple of cable outlets already, it's on the internet as well! they are toys people!
anytime you have a 30/40 something goofball wearing his cap backwards trouble is sure to follow. That said, why let your little kids get in the middle of a group of adult babies who are fighting for action figures raining from the sky? I understand the mother being pissed her kid got knocked around, but getting all high and mighty like she recued the little tyke from the jaws of death is laying it on a bit thick. Especially the hard working not on welfare speech. What does that have to do with the price of rice in china or the subject at hand?
this lack of security has been going on for years at crown center, used to go there alot, but back in the late 90's they brought in new management and ran off alot of good security folks, and pretty much brought in this rent a guard bunch of riff raff,, I don't let my kids go there anymore. I heard hallmark cards got rid of their in house security for the complex and took in this crown center bunch and now they have lawsuits and and folks that haven't a clue how to run a security department,,,,,,,,, take your money somewhere else !!!!!!! as long as ccrc lets dumb asses run the show -----hillbilly
this event was out of control,my kids got knocked around by adults, and when I approched a security person they told me it was not their area, they where wearing a crown center security uniform and walked away.. we will not be back
my kids where there and adults knocked them to the ground to get these cheap ass toys and when I found a security person, name tag said crown center- he said it wasn't his area and walked away-- won't be back anytime soon....place dosen't seem safe to me
"Sure these guys paid $300 or even more to attend this weekend long convention and I did not."
so this guy paid $300, and you took his toy from him? he obviously cares more about GI Joe than your kids. sounds like you're just as selfish as you're trying to make him out to be.
I drove down towards McGee Street on Friday morning, the morning this incident occurred, looking for parking.
I observed the commotion, didn't want any part of this activity, grown adults acting like fools! I took my children and proceeded to leave.
To Carol # 326- come to think of it, I didn't see any Security personal as well at this location, this was disturbing to say the least! Inglorious Bastards, I won't be returning to that facility! BW- Kansas City Mo.
I was there, near the dock area, things were ugly and out of control!
I just went back inside the dock office so I wouldn't have to bear witness to all of this. Monica, you did the right thing, there were zero security personal around, I'm glad you stood up for the children, someone needed to.
I'm real disappointed in the Exhibit Hall staff,& the Hyatt Folks, they lost control, I'm glad such behavior by adults was posted on the net so folks could see, we as society have lost our grip!I bet the adults that snatched these from well deserving children will be selling these today on "e-bay" for the almighty $, hopefully Sat and Sunday will be better days for all involved.
As I read the comments from people over my actions on youtube, I am left at a point to voice my views. I can not believe people have taken it upon themselves to call me a fat b****, white trash, and someone who lives on welfare among others. Or the fact that one had it in them to tell me to watch my neck, what are you serious?
I have many questions to ask of all of these people. Were they there to witness this event Friday morning at the Hyatt? Did they see the adults who snatched these figures from the hands of many little kids? Did they see the adults get the figures and run off with them so they wouldn't have to hand them over to staff? Did they hear the staff of the event state many times the figures were for the kids and if "ANY" were left after the children got theirs then the adults could get what was left? Did they see that there were well over 300 children at that drop event? Did they see that children walked away in TEARS because they didn't get a figure?
You can call me whatever name it is you feel like. You can say I made myself look like an ass or that I was selfish because I made sure each of my boys had a figure so they wouldn't fight. Did I mention my oldest had two snatched out of his hands by someone? I am proud to say I stood up for the kids at this event, even if it was my own. And you better believe my boys will be the first I'm gonna stand up for.
When I went up to this man there was another grown adult who had one in his hand with him. I told both of them at that time they shouldn't have those because there were kids that didn't have any. One took off and the other well I followed until I seen staff. He was not the only adult who was made to hand over the figure.
Sure these guys paid $300 or even more to attend this weekend long convention and I did not. I have other places my money has to go before something like a weekend long event. I'm not on welfare and my husband and I both have jobs, of course with a family of five it is not in our budget you do the math. This however doesn't mean that we weren't going to attend this convention during the weekend as it is open to general admission. But why should my children be mixed in with a bunch of grown adults that can afford this and choose to be selfish and call a mother names for sticking up for her child.
My boys each love GI Joe and we have spent tons of money on the hasbro toys. I am a collector of barbies and have been since I was young. I would not have been this way to little girls and taken from them as these men did at the Hyatt. Sure event staff could have done a little better, but when you have a street full of people what do you think will happen? They could have given out tickets or let only children with an adult to this event and it may have gone a little better but we will never know.
I will not say I'm sorry for what I did!
When I used to be in charge back there, I used to model myself after the GI Joe Doll, the Neo Nazi Bald-Headed Figure.
I called my soilders "the corvette-Team"- sqaurdron # 327, we had a secret door, had to give a secret handshake to enter, pretty stupid, as I look back on those days, you would have had to be there to know what this stood for, Damn! those were the good-ol days!
GI Joe you still rock, as for the rude parents "get a life" let these kids be kids and not see the ugly side of audulthood.
I worked this convention when it last came to our Exhibit Hall facility in 2001, we never had problems with this show, or this type of foolishness from adults.
Must be the sign of our times, greed- grown folks "pushing and shoving" kids for a toy figure.
Management back at the Crown Center Exhibit Hall, it's Security Dept. and the people in charge of the GI Joe convention, should have been prepared for this. Plenty of blame to go around for this fiasco, this upset me but thanks just the same for posting these clips.
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