Technology / 02.24.21

The New Look of Vigilance: COVID-19 and the Changing Nature of Traditional Threats Are Keeping Security Pros, Venues Busy

Access Staff

Pollstar (02/20/21) Zoltak, James

COVID-19 and shifting tactics by bad actors, along with traditional threats, are adding to the security challenge for venues and events. A VenuesNow survey found respondents concur that measures and technologies aimed at removing as much conflict as possible from the guest experience without eroding security have ramped up in recent months thanks to their usefulness in the pandemic era. Yet some experts say suicide bombings and other threats of domestic terrorism highlight the need for closer scrutiny of perimeter security, for example. Dan Donovan with security firm Stratoscope cited line security and post-event clustering as key issues all venues must contend with, while Show Pros Entertainment Service's Robert Reddick said health and safety measures such as social distancing and timed entry align with the need to protect queues. Adding to the changing threat landscape is the emerging danger from domestic actors and flash mobs, and Aluma CEO Akmal Ali said the Safety Act allocates legal liability protection to venues that deploy terrorism countermeasures and/or technologies. Donovan said professional sports leagues have prepared for many potential threats, having crafted uniform security standards; however, more work needs doing for collegiate sports. Perkins Crowd Management Group CEO Larry Perkins said all security protocols implemented before the pandemic struck must be incorporated into reopening strategies. "Even so, we still try to balance effective safety and security with customer services," he commented.

Read the full story from Pollstar. 

Tags: News , Venues , COVID-19 , Coronavirus