Stadium Security
Howard Safir
CEO, Vigilant Resources International
(VRI)
Agenda
• FUNDAMENTAL STADIUM SECURITY ISSUES
• How do you prepare for people and events that you want in (and near) your stadium?
• How do you prepare for people and events that you don’t want in (and near) your stadium?
• How do you make sure that what is effective today is effective tomorrow?
• How do you accomplish these objectives as economically, politically and sustainably as
possible?
• AREAS OF DISCUSSION
• Planning
• People
• Technology
“I have always found that
plans are useless, but
planning
is
indispensable.”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Planning - Fundamentals
• What will your stadium be used for today?
• What will your stadium be used for tomorrow?
• How will it be secured during construction?
• How will it be secured during events?
• In the seasons and hours before and after events?
• How will it be secured when empty?
• Who can you work with that has a
• common interest in the security of your stadium?
• What risks & assets will you manage on your own?
• What risks & assets will you manage with others?
• What do you do when something happens?
• What do others do when something happens?
• How can structural design enhance security?
• How can technology systems enhance security?
• How do you best document, manage and advance
• each consideration above (+the ones you can’t know)?
• How do you measure progress (keep score)?
• Who funds security at each consideration above?
Risk Mitigation Approach
• Paper Deliverables
- Threat, Vulnerability & Risk Assessments
- Security Master Plans
‣ Policies and Standard Operating Procedures
‣ Architectural & Engineering Actions
‣ System Technical Design
‣ Crisis & Contingency Planning
‣ Administration & Management
• Non-Paper Deliverables
- Event Security Management & Personnel
- Security & Emergency Training
- Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Liaison
- Recruitment & Development of Security Staff
Threats
• Terrorism
- Jihadist
- Political
- Environmental
• Crime
- Violent
- Crimes of Opportunity
• Civil Disturbance
- Drunk & Disorderly
- Protesters
- Stampede
• Severe Weather / Natural Disaster
• Accident
Vulnerabilities
• High Occupancies & Limited Ingress & Egress
- Crowding at key times and areas
• (gates, parking, bathrooms, concessions)
- Evacuation - potential for panic
- Passionate fans (often intoxicated)
• Complex & Transient Workforce
- Typically low-paid
- Multiple vendors / tenants
- Credential management challenges
- Delivery-intensive operations
• Architectural & Engineering Considerations
- Progressive Collapse
- Projectiles
- Building Systems
- Active Shooter / Package Left Behind
Threat, Risk &
Vulnerability Assessment
• Foundation for Strategy, Planning & Finance
• Critical Asset Analysis
• Qualitative & Quantitative Methods
• No “one-size fits all” / guidelines from
governments, leagues & industry organizations
• Identify issues that may not neatly fit in
named departments or functions
Security Master Planning
Policies & Procedures
• What are spectators prohibited from...
- doing before (or after) the game in the parking lot?
- bringing into the stadium?
- doing in the stadium?
• For what situations will people be...
- warned?
- detained?
- ejected?
- barred from returning?
• Who enforces security policies?
• Under what authority do they act?
• What tools do they have to ensure...
- their own safety?
- the safety of the patrons and others?
Security Master Planning
Architectural & Engineering
Issues
• Progressive Collapse
- Seating areas
- Stairwells / escalators
- Passageways
- Command Center / Building Operations
• Projectiles
- Glass
- Other Materials
• Building Systems
- HVAC
- Power
- Water
• CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)
- Lighting
- Landscaping
- Setbacks
- Vehicle and Pedestrian traffic routing
Security Master Planning
Technical System Design
• Integrated Physical Security Systems
- CCTV
- Access Control & Screening
- Intrusion Detection & Other Alarms
- Intelligence (watch lists, other)
• Special Stadium Applications
- Mobile Ticket Scanners
- Facial Recognition
- Video Analytics & Stitching
- CBRNE Screening
- Swipe cards in lieu of tickets
Security Master Planning
Crisis & Contingency
Planning
• Roles & Responsibilities
• MOUs, Standards & Training for
police, fire and EMS responders
• Communications Planning
• Scenario Specific Planning
• Emergency Procedures & Protocols (NIMS)
Security Master Planning
Administration &
Management
• Who’s at the table?
• Who pays?
• What is the organizational structure?
• What is the substance of the agreement?
• What is the form of the agreement?
• How do you best adjust for emerging threats
and operational developments?
“OUT!” (but safe)