The Clark Planetarium was opened adjoining the Gateway Mall in April 2003. The venue offers a variety of educational exhibits on astronomy topics, two theaters, snack bar and retail store. Being part of the mall, Clark Planetarium is open 365 days a year. Often school groups and private parties will frequent the planetarium for events.

Since the opening of Clark Planetarium, Protective Services has provided an officer for weekend and evening hours. While our desk is located in the basement with the other administration and production offices, most of the time is spent patrolling and observing the building. Because of the proximity to Traxx and the mall, the volume of patrons to monitor can be quite staggering at times. Youth groups and school groups present their own challenges when children are unsupervised or unaccounted for. Late night weekends brings in a distinctly different more adult crowd for the Cosmic Light Shows. The renovation of the IMAX Theater to show feature-length movies has also increased the number of patrons.

Our officers serve as a reference for information as well as a visual deterrence to unwanted behavior. Being aware of whom and where people are in the building is critical to maintaining a safe and secure environment for the patrons.