The cardboard fans are gone and the real fans are back, making up for lost time. They are packing stadiums, the bars and restaurants surrounding them.
They’re not just going to the games. Sports venues 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 parties, 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 awareness and respond to escalating threats quickly and effectively. The same technology can also deliver operational efficiencies that enhance 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 environment 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. Security 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. Roadwork 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, focused, 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 challenges. Following are some worth considering.
This article originally appeared in the July / August 2022 issue of Security Today.
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