Page 18 - Security Today, JulyAugust 2023

Delivering Big Wins Innovative integrations allow stadiums to provide enhanced safety and security, while increasing operational efficiencies and supporting staff By Mark McCormack If we have learned anything from the past few years, it is that “the unknown” is one of the biggest challenges for stadiums and public venues. With an ever-changing environment, security departments must prepare for those “if” scenarios, now more than ever before. But the challenges for stadiums and other large venues go beyond the unknown and in- cludes social unrest, crime and increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic in surround- ing urban areas; hiring and staffing diffi- culties; and the necessity of protecting the environment 24/7/365, just to name a few. With all these challenges as a part of the operational landscape, newer tech- nologies and thoughtful integrations are taking center stage for venues – not only delivering security and safety to staff, em- ployees, visitors and facilities, but also in- creasing operational efficiencies and pro- viding tools for retention and support of existing employees. By leveraging technology and imple- menting strategic integrations, security departments can bring value to a function that does not traditionally bring money into the business. Additionally, stadium management has opportunity to train security staff and cross-train other em- ployees on installed technology, increasing the collective knowledge of staff, offering them continued education opportunities and deeper insights into building opera- tions, and supporting employee retention. Let’s take a look at several ways stadi- ums can use integrated technology to sup- port existing staff, streamline security and operations, and boost the “people” experi- ence from the outside on in. STARTING WITH THE PERIMETER There was a time when many stadiums only needed temporary or hourly work- ers during game day. However, with sala- ried departments working on site, special events expanding hours throughout the year, and the publicly accessible environ- ment surrounding many properties, sta- diums and venues have had to adjust to securing their sites around the clock – all while pushing their perimeters out farther from the building to achieve a proactive security posture against the ever-moving target of the unknown. At the perimeter, new technologies can provide immense value. For example, li- cense plate recognition (LPR) technology can have a number of uses for stadiums. Season ticket holders can enroll in LPR programs for easy access into designated parking areas. Integrated with video sur- veillance and garage or gate access con- trol, LPR tech can alert staff to VIPs, players or entertainers entering parking areas, streamlining the VIP experience. When integrated with outdoor video cameras or sensors, analytics can track and alert staff to bottlenecks within park- ing lots. For instance, when analytics de- tect a full parking area, staff can be de- ployed to direct traffic or digital signage can be programmed to direct drivers to another parking area. Intercoms and speakers integrated with analytics, video surveillance, sensors and a centralized VMS allow stadium opera- tors to streamline several operations and John Lupu/Shutterstock.com make do with less staff beyond parking lots. Instead of police or security staff sta- tioned at each entrance on the outside of a facility, for example, IP audio can give directions to visitors at set times or based on a triggered event, such as blocking an entrance, trying to enter a locked door or loitering. Video clips can be sent to staff to decide if a live response is needed. For one large outdoor baseball venue, keeping certain gates locked to control entry became a necessity post-COVID, but some visitors decided to jump the fence or pursue forbidden entry regardless of the new restric- tions. Video analytics and IP audio targeted this issue, alerting staff to potential incidents while triggering automated responses over speakers to mitigate the undesired access. In addition, video surveillance inte- grated with analytics and audio can keep situations from escalating to dangerous behavior while tailgating or during pre- game events by alerting security staff to potentially aggressive behavior, gunshots or more. Such integrations can give staff access to pinpointed locations, time- stamped video clips, and a level of situ- ational awareness that would otherwise be 18 JULY/AUGUST 2023 | SECURITY TODAY STADIUM SECURITY