Page 26 - Security Today, September 2018

Bigger is Getting Better SMG/The Moscone Center undertaking complete security renovation
BTy Ralph C. Jensen
here are a handful of amazing things that set San Francisco apart from other world class cities. Nota- bly, there is the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown; the Twin Peaks overlooking the city, San Francisco Bay, and yes: The
Moscone Center.
Just how does a convention center fit into the list of places to see
in beautiful San Francisco? It is the largest convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco. It includes three main halls spread out across three blocks and 87 acres in the South of Market neighbor- hood. The convention center originally opened in 1981 and has gone through several renovations. It is currently upgrading its security sys- tem to reflect a best-of-breed, state-of-the-art solution.
Securing the Facility
Security at the SMG/Moscone Center is handled similar to the security at a Tier 1 airport; however, clients who use the facility are required to provide their own inside security. When the doors are open to the public it plays host to people who want to come in and look around.
“We are responsible for facility security inside and on the perim- eter outside. This is considered a soft target, so we do everything pos- sible to harden the security,” said Damion Ellis, director of security at the SMG/Moscone Center. “The time is right for us to take out the old security system, including the old analog camera system. Our new security system will provide analytics, and the ability to look at
24
0918 | SECURITY TODAY
the images in real time.”
Like any major metropolitan area, there are issues that have to
be dealt with that aren’t pleasant and keeping track of the homeless population and what they are doing is one such issue.
“We are able to place the new IP cameras in places where the homeless population congregates on the outside, in dark corners of the facility,” Ellis said.
The Moscone Center complex consists of three main halls. Moscone South is located to the south of Howard Street and is three stories tall.
EVENT SECURITY