Page 30 - Security Today, July/August 2024

to eject someone or give them a warning for egregious behavior. Visual clarity and detail allow staff to ensure they are approach- ing the correct person.
The cameras at Fiserv Forum are also assets for emergency response. For example, outside of the arena during the Milwau- kee Marathon, security received a medical call from the crowded plaza. Staff in the operations center were able to quickly pull up cameras in the area and pinpoint the exact location and details of the event to share with first responders.
Incorporating analytics into a video surveillance system allows stadiums to garner further value from their camera technology. In addition to queue monitoring for spectator experience and staffing, crowd intelligence analytics can be useful to detect unruly behavior or violence. Such analytics, along with gunshot detection technol- ogy, can be helpful both inside and outside stadiums.
Facial recognition can detect stalkers or banned persons on the premises. Cross line detection or digital fencing will automatically alert staff to visitors in restricted areas. When coupled with access control and even audio systems, stadium security stakeholders can see who or what is approaching and allow for an informed re- sponse. Smart search analytics are fundamental in allowing organi- zations to comb through their data efficiently and reduce the need for staff to spend time manually weeding through hours of video.
STREAMLINING INVESTIGATIONS AND RESPONSE
At Fiserv Forum, the security team uses its cameras to visually document everything from overseeing bartender’s serving drinks from the liquor cabinet to vehicle accidents in the parking lot. With recorded evidence, the organization has averted potential lawsuits, ousted unruly fans and even recovered damages from careless delivery drivers. In one particular case, an altercation in the stands led to police escorting a fan from the stadium. The fan’s lawyer attempted to sue the police, claiming they assaulted his client. The video proved otherwise, and the suit was dropped.
At American Airlines Center in Dallas, the security staff mon- itor live and recorded video 24/7 from its 200-plus network cam- eras in the seating bowl, multiple concourses, lobby areas, retail space and rooftop. Linked with a VMS, the cameras are useful for investigations, such as altercations in the seats during a game. During one such altercation, one of the parties insisted that an- other guest be ejected from the premises. The patron complained that guest services failed to manage the situation correctly and demanded the responding employee be fired. Security reviewed the video of the incident, and it told a different story, however. When the patron was confronted with the video evidence the complaint was rescinded and the employee kept their job.
FURTHERING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES
Like cameras, access control is another foundational ingredient for operations. Many stadiums use multi-factor authentication such as badges and biometrics to control and restrict access. When integrated with video, venue staff have further situational awareness about the circumstances of an access event.
Access control data, along with license plate recognition in
“The good news is that attendees
are ready, and even expecting, to
see safety and security measures in place. According to the NCS4 2023 survey, 73% of respondents said they prefer security and safety measures to be visible.”
parking areas or garages is a convenient tool to manage players, staff and VIPs as well. To help facilitate the VIP experience and streamline operations, automatic notifications can alert staff to a particular person pulling into the garage or coming into the build- ing. Intercoms integrated with video can further streamline the VIP experience and help safety and security in certain parts of the venue.
Audio technology is useful for emergency preparedness and response, allowing security and safety staff to make public an- nouncements regarding inclement weather or unexpected inci- dents. Audio technology can even be integrated with mobile de- vices for quick, streamlined communications and response.
The application of body cameras is expected to be useful in stadium settings – particularly in venues that have a law enforce- ment or public safety presence. Recorded interactions aid in inves- tigations, help with accountability, and can give both customers and responders peace of mind. In fact, the NCS4 2023 Spectator Sports Safety and Security Survey found that approximately 77% of spectators surveyed are comfortable with security staff wear- ing body cameras. The technology can be integrated with other video surveillance systems as well for more comprehensive inves- tigations and documentation.
While high-performing analytics and security technologies play a significant role in stadium operations and security, to real- ize the benefits of integration and garner even more value from those technologies, stadium directors should consider open- source technologies. Open-source systems can make it easier to integrate different technologies to streamline operations and facilitate investigations and documentation. They also open the door to easier collaboration and communication among law en- forcement, first responders and other stakeholders.
As stadiums continue to navigate an increase in publicly reported incidents of fan violence and endless potential security risks, care- fully curated technologies and systems can have a direct impact on these pain points. As safety and security risks in large public venues continue to rapidly shift and budgets continue to be an ever-present hurdle, choosing technologies that yield multi-pronged benefits and higher ROIs will allow the venue to better position
themselves against the unknown while providing a positive fan experience.
Mark McCormack is the senior manager, National & Global Accounts, at Axis Communications.
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STADIUM SECURITY