Sporting events present unique challenges. Especially for sporting venue managers responsible for everyone’s safety – athletes, spectators, and staff.
Baseball games, tennis tournaments, and other athletic competitions attract both large crowds and safety threats. The latter can range from fist fights and pickpockets to civil unrest and terrorism. And if that weren’t enough, in a recent study from the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, 65% of respondents reported that fan behavior is worse today than it was 10 years ago. This included alcohol abuse, fighting with other fans, violence against staff, and property damage.
That’s why we’ve rounded up some top tactics, sports security technology systems, and tools to help you tackle today’s security threats.
Smart Tactics
Refining your existing security approach is critical to maintaining a top-level protection strategy. Best practices for advancing established security practices:
Ongoing Risk Assessment
Regularly identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities for each event based on factors such as the size and type of event, attendee profiles. and the venue layout.
Crowd Control Optimization
Leverage your existing crowd management strategies by analyzing previous events for efficiency and safety. Incorporate lessons learned into your current protocols, ensuring entry and exit strategies are optimized to prevent congestion and incidents. Continuous training for your security team in advanced crowd management methods will keep their skills sharp.
Emergency Preparedness Update
Despite best efforts, emergencies can still occur. Continuously review and practice your emergency response plans, making adjustments as needed for improvements. Ensure coordination with local authorities is seamless and that your staff is drilled in protocol execution, including evacuation procedures and medical emergency response.
Essential Security Systems
These safety systems are essential for any sports venue and its security team.
Safety and Visitor Management
Modular, cloud-based visitor management systems offer national or internal watchlist screenings, mobile alarms, and emergency communications. This can make screening visitors as simple as scanning a state-issued ID. Advanced systems can even notify personnel of VIP arrivals. Many also allow employees to trigger silent alarms to alert key personnel in an emergency.
Key Management
Key management systems allow security teams to configure and reconfigure access for different events, employees, and visitors. In addition, two-factor authentication adds extra security by requiring a second authorized person to access and return individual keys – so users can’t access restricted areas later. The Valet Spot offers podiums and kiosks with built-in key hooks or key fob storage, as well as stand-alone key boxes.
Physical Security Barriers
Guarded security desks and turnstiles are a tried and true way to manage crowd control, prevent unauthorized entry, and slow down or apprehend fleeing criminals.
Advanced AI Tools
Think of AI as a security multiplier, helping your team make the most of human and other tech resources. These tools are also what powers a proactive security approach.
Intelligent Video Management
AI systems analyze surveillance data in real-time, identifying suspicious behavior, prohibited items, and crowd anomalies that human eyes might miss. AI-powered Intelligent Video Management Systems (VMS) include features like facial recognition and license plate recognition, heat mapping, and people counting to manage pedestrian traffic and compliance. They also offer under-vehicle surveillance systems (UVSS) to protect parking and loading areas.
Proactive Pattern Analysis
Use AI replay and analytics to review past incidents, crowd behavior, entry patterns, and environmental data to predict and prevent security threats before they occur. This creates proactive protection systems that keep venues safe and spectators secure.
Personalized Security Protocols
Go beyond one-size-fits-all approaches with personalized AI security protocols based on event type, crowd demographics, and threat assessments, ensuring every venue or event receives optimized protection.
Read our article, “Our A to Z List of AI Tools for Security Professionals,” for an in-depth look at AI-driven security solutions.
Threat and Tech-Ready Security Stations
Ready to take your sports security technology to the big leagues? Equip your security team with durable, tech-ready security podiums. Our stand-up Deluxe Security Podium is a great space-saver for areas where you may only need a single security guard. Looking for something larger? The Boss Security Desk lives up to its name with premium features like a roomy interior, robust stainless steel build, and a sleek stainless steel worktop. Start here or give us a call, and we’ll help you find a security station suited to the unique needs of your sports venue.