Page 32 - Security Today, April 2020

On-site Lockers TIAA Bank Field scores security for personal belongings
BSy Matt Welty
tadium bag policies continue to be a growing priority at sports stadiums and arenas across the U.S., particular-
ly in regard to personal bag size and the particular items that are permitted into facilities during scheduled events. Initially implemented for the 2013 professional football season, the NFL launched a new bag policy intending to provide a safer en- vironment for the public and to expedite fan entry.
Since then, the initial policy has evolved and now limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into stadi- ums. For example, non-transparent bags are permitted but must not exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches (about the size of an average hand). Clear, see-through bags must not exceed 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches. While this may seem strict, secu- rity specialists are united in ensuring the safety of the public with policies that have now been adopted by all NFL stadiums, as well as other venues and arenas across the country.
Challenge on the Field
If not adhering to the NFL’s bag policy, an entire day-out experience can poten- tially be ruined for fans, as individuals and sometimes entire families are restricted from entering the stadium. When this happens, perhaps the only available op- tions are:
1. Bring the restricted item(s) back to the car, sometimes a great distance away from the stadium.
2. Discard the item(s), which is usually not logical.
3. Lucky enough to be at a stadium that provides off-site options for restricted items.
However, in the past, these options
have come with long lines and/or high storage fees during both pre- and post- game times, adding to an already long day.
In 2013, when the first policy was en-
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“Security specialists are united in ensuring the safety of the public with policies that have now been adopted by all NFL stadiums.”
forced, TIAA Bank Field, home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, created an area to replicate a coat check that included rolling racks. Game day attendees would have a place to bring their restricted items – brief- cases, purses or other items – and, in turn, would receive a numbered ticket to retrieve their item when they departed the venue. This was beneficial to attendees using the service; however, ticketing many items per game was a labor-intensive process for the stadium.
“This old school approach wasn’t working for us. What we really needed was something automated, self-sufficient and easily implemented,” said Ryan Prep, di- rector of facility operations for the Jack- sonville Jaguars.
The Perfect Solution
What started as an empty shipping con- tainer with lockers evolved into a solution that would solve Prep’s need for a secure way to store attendees’ belongings.
“We created the LOKnCHARGE lock- ers after noticing the frustration from peo- ple who attend events and have no place to put their items,” said Benoit Briere, CEO of LOKnCHARGE, a Montreal-based se- cure mobile locker solution. “There was a need for security and convenience, so I was on the hunt for a secure yet simple solu- tion to ensure each locker can be locked by the individual using it.”
After researching solutions, Briere found Codelocks, a company that special- izes in standalone keyless door locks and
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