Page 8 - Security Today, July/August 2022

Playing the “A” Game Is your stadium security secure? Here are 3 ways to keep it that way
By Mark McCormack
The cardboard fans are gone and the real fans are back, making up for lost time. They are packing sta- diums, the bars and restaurants surrounding them.
They’re not just going to the games. Sports ven- ues have stretched beyond the stadium proper to incorporate pavilions and entertainment complexes, owned and managed by the franchises that feature retail, hotels, theaters and much more. They are a 24/7 destination for fans and tourists. Game days now include the equivalent of sprawling block par- ties, putting added strain on security teams entrusted to maintain public safety in stadiums and throughout adjacent entertainment
districts.
Smart technology can ensure that security teams are up to the
task, empowering them with tools to provide situational aware- ness and respond to escalating threats quickly and effectively. The same technology can also deliver operational efficiencies that en- hance the fan experience while providing a financial return on investment.
If you’re responsible for security at an arena or stadium, your team has surely put substantial effort into creating an environ- ment where fans feel safe. Here are three things you can do to
keep it that way.
Audit your systems regularly and continue to enhance them. Se-
curity threats are perpetually evolving. For example, high-rises may be constructed around the perimeter of a stadium, offering clear views inside and representing new attack vectors. Systems may also need adjustment.
Growing foliage can obstruct cameras’ fields of vision. Road- work can alter vehicle and pedestrian traffic patterns around and into the stadium. Lighting may change. Special-event staging or signage can affect camera coverage.
For reasons like these, edge devices strategically placed, fo- cused, and calibrated during installation require periodic review. More cameras, readers, and sensors may be needed. Also, newer technologies may be better equipped to address particular chal- lenges. Following are some worth considering.
Specialty cameras. For poorly lit areas, thermal cameras can discern individual bodies in extremely low light while flipping back to a standard video setting during daylight hours. Security radar can be paired with cameras to detect, classify, and track people and vehicles even in poor weather conditions and are a fantastic option for enhancing perimeter security.
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JULY/AUGUST 2022 | SECURITY TODAY
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