Original article published on San Diego Union Tribune (CA) (06/02/18) by George Varga
Outdoor live-music venues in San Diego are implementing stronger security measures such as 3D mapping, armed police and drones following last year's Route 91 Harvest festival massacre in Las Vegas. Organizers and law enforcement officials agree that such incidents add weight to the seriousness of the threat and the need for more safeguards. San Diego State University Police Chief Josh Mays coordinates a 32-person security detail for concerts at Viejas Arena, the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, and at other events on campus. "We make sure, days in advance, rooftop access (adjacent to event sites) is locked and that buildings are secure," he says. "Post-Las Vegas, we take into account elevated points as part of our overall assessment." The university's campus police force has for five years been using a mobile command vehicle from which it can launch drones, monitor camera footage and access satellite imagery. Meanwhile, the Pala Casino, Spa & Resort's Dean Almodova notes the venue conducts a rigorous threat assessment before each concert; area casinos hosting outdoor summer concerts now screen all guests' luggage as they check into nearby hotels. In addition, Chula Vista police officers posted at Live Nation's Mattress Firm Amphitheatre are now authorized to carry assault rifles.
Read the full article on the San Diego Union Tribune (CA) website.