Millions of fans visit sports stadiums across the country yearly. Event experience is usually top of mind for fans, but for security personnel, safety is one of the utmost important aspects of enjoying a sporting event. Without appropriate perimeter security, people could be unknowingly walking into a danger zone. It is security’s job to protect life and property with appropriate measures in place.

The athletes, their coaches, other team staff, arena staff and vendors are just as important as the fans to the security team. Each and every person at the event should have the same peace of mind when they walk from the parking lot and into the building, knowing their safety has been vetted through thorough specialized security operations. A certain level of trust is given to the security team when spectators enter the venue so they can enjoy the event without the threat of violence.

There are many factors to consider when trying to decide how to win at perimeter security at a sporting event. This article does not encompass all factors of a perimeter security plan, but will highlight two specific perimeter security features: walk through metal detectors and hand held metal detecting wands.

Basics of Perimeter Security

Nothing is basic about perimeter security. It is in place to protect outside threats from entering crowded, high-profile, targeted areas. Protection of spectators, players, staff, owners, vendors and anyone else within the perimeter is happening behind the scenes and right in front of your very eye before, during and after the event.

To the fans, going through security should be a seamless process of moving them to their ticketed event in a timely and efficient manner. When perimeter security is shown as being used proficiently, criminals will think twice about entering the facility and will, more times than not, avoid being a threat to the sporting event.

With every venue being different, each approach to perimeter security must be unique. Comprehensive plans must be in place to cover every public and private entrance and exit, loading docks, vehicle gates, delivery areas and so on. External perimeter security and easily detecting weapons should be a main focus as it is ground level, where the typical threat would enter.

Venue and Crowd Size

When deciding what is best for your venue, you need to first think about your specific situation. Do you have a single place where guests will always enter your venue or are there multiple entry points? Does this also depend on crowd size? If so, then you may need something that is not a permanent fixture. Additionally, the design of the entrance locations within the building are an important part of the perimeter security decision making process. Are the entrance gates indoors or outdoors, or both? If outside, will the perimeter security equipment used be facing harsh weather elements such as heat, rain or snow?

As far as crowd size goes, knowing about how many guests will visit your venue during any given event is important. You want to make sure there are enough security stations, personnel and the equipment is up to par with scanning that many bodies. Additionally, no one wants to wait for an hour in the security line prior to even watching the event they have a ticket for. So making sure your security equipment can handle the high level of security you want to obtain versus the high number of guests in attendance is vital.

Sometimes a combination of perimeter security equipment is the best decision to provide flexibility in configuration for different flows of foot traffic entering into a venue. The most common perimeter security features you will experience at a sporting event are walk through metal detectors and hand held metal detecting wands. These two security items work together to identify metal objects such as guns, knives and other weapons on a person. They are two of the most efficient and effective ways to thoroughly vet incoming people in a timely manner. Luckily, Entra Turnstiles of the Tamis Corporation, one of the leading providers of perimeter security, specializes in these products. With over 30 years of experience, we can provide you with a solution to meet your needs.

Walk Through Metal Detectors

Walk through metal detectors provide security at access points and are quite common at sporting venues. They have been used for years at professional and collegiate venues and are now becoming just as common at high school events too.

Metal detectors play a vital role in perimeter security as they act as a gate from the outside public space to the inside of the building you are entering. They allow for quick identification of metal objects potentially entering the facility. The machine uses microprocessor technology to detect when a metal object is trying to enter the facility on an attendee.

There are two kinds of walk through metal detecting systems; a single zone detecting system or a multi-zone system.

Single Zone Metal Detectors

The CS 5000 Walk-Through Metal Detector is the most economical and effective walk-through metal detector in the industry.
The MS 3500 Walk Through Metal Detector is designed to withstand all types of weather conditions and rough handling. It also offers uniform coverage, excellent sensitivity, stability and noise rejection for more precise target evaluation.

Multi-Zone Metal Detectors

The MT 5500 Walk-Through Metal Detector provides maximum throughput with exceptional scanning technology—locating metal targets on the left, right or center of its archway. The popular MT 5500 meets the demanding needs of security professionals worldwide who trust its ability to maintain patron flow rate with minimal alarms.
The Enhanced Pinpoint Walk-Through Metal Detector is the industry leader in pinpointing technology. Without compromising security, this metal detector is designed for maximum throughput.

How the Walk Through Metal Detector Works

With multiple identifying pinpoints on both kinds of machines, attendees are scanned from head to toe, ensuring specific dangerous objects are not in their possession. The biggest difference between the two systems is that the metal object can be specifically located from any direction on the person with the multi-zone system.

If the walk through metal detector senses metal, it will quickly alert security personnel using an audio or visual signal. The security personnel will then follow their protocol to address the situation. Typically, the next step would be for the security personnel to use a hand held metal detecting wand to find specifically where the object is and search for the threat on the person.

Hand Held Metal Detecting Wands

Hand held metal detecting wands are used to pinpoint where a metal object is on a person. When used in conjunction with walk through metal detectors, security personnel will be able to quickly find the threat.

Hand held metal detecting wands can also be used separately from walk through metal detectors. Hand held wands are not semi-permanent fixtures like walk through metal detectors, so they can easily be moved anywhere in the sporting arena. They are lightweight, easy to use and highly effective in identifying metal objects.

Types of Hand Helds

The Pro-Pointer Metal Detector provides all terrain versatility for locating and pinpointing metallic targets. It is environmentally protected from the elements and is fully submersible to a maximum depth of 20 feet.
The Super Scanner V Hand-Held Metal Detector is the original maximum sensitivity hand-held scanner for high security applications. It features audible and silent vibrating alarm options and extended battery life.
The Super Wand Hand-Held Metal Detector has a 360° detection field that provides uniform sensitivity and tip pinpointing to detect weapons and other metal objects with extreme accuracy.
The Tactical Hand-held Metal Detector is the most rugged, compact metal detector on the market. With a highly-sensitive 360° detection area and a silent vibrating alarm indicator, the Tactical Hand-held Metal Detector is perfect for all law enforcement operations.

Winning at Perimeter Security

Memories of what happens at a sporting event should be what takes place on the field, not off the field. Perimeter security is a huge task but is something that should never be overlooked. The safety and security of everyone should be kept at the forefront of daily discussions. Always remember the fan experience starts with perimeter security. As they pass through your metal detectors, they are passing through the gates to an ultimate experience. Ensure they enjoy their time at your venue by ensuring your perimeter security is the best of the best.

It’s natural to be concerned about violence in public spaces. Harvard University researchers concluded that, from 2011 to 2014, mass shootings occurred three times more often than in the previous 29 years. Their analysis showed a mass shooting — an attack in a public place where the victims were unknown to the shooter and four or more people were murdered — happened on average every 64 days. An FBI report from 2000 to 2013 also noted an increased frequency of active shooter cases, where someone was killing or trying to kill people in a public place. Since 2014, we have continued to see a string of violence from California to Florida in the U.S., and to England, France, and beyond.

There are multiple factors behind the increased frequency of attacks on innocent people. Mental illness and politics motivate some shooters. In other cases, the motive is not so clear. Solving these problems is outside the scope of what a facility manager can control. But managers do have options for increased security and screening of visitors. One simple yet effective way to improve surveillance is by using turnstiles.

How do turnstiles improve security?

Turnstiles provide a visible indicator that the person is entering or exiting a controlled space. When the customer or employee walks through the unit, they might have to physically move the arm of the turnstile to get to the other side. In more secure spaces with access control, some type of input such as a PIN or swipe card is required. In all instances, a turnstile forces people to move through the barrier area in a single-file line. This allows security personnel to more easily scan a crowd as it enters, and to watch for potential problems. Turnstiles also help to queue people for further security checks via pat-downs, bag searches, or metal detectors.

Options

There are many options that can tailor the unit to the needs of the office building, mass transit system, or other facility where security is an issue. Each option affects the level of security.

Waist-high turnstiles

Mechanical, waist-high turnstiles require the person to push through a gate or rotate the arms of the device. Electric models respond to a signal to turn the device and allow the person through. A classic waist-high turnstile uses a tripod composed of three arms that rotate vertically. Waist-high turnstiles are the most common type of turnstile, and the least expensive. A downside of waist-high turnstiles is that, without security personnel present, people may be able to bypass the system by jumping over the device.

Full-height turnstiles

Less commonly used are full height turnstiles. You may see these at the exit to a transit system or an amusement park. They are also installed at prisons and secure government facilities. Because these turnstiles are taller than a person, it is not possible to jump this type of turnstile. These turnstiles are more rugged than most waist-high turnstiles and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Counters

Even the simplest turnstiles can have a counter. This is used to show how many people have attended an event. Libraries, museums, and other non-profits use counters to justify a need for funding based on the number of people using the facility. Counters also help in security, by allowing for better emergency management planning and helping ensure fire codes are being followed.

Optical turnstiles

Optical turnstiles have been in use since the late 1990s. They are a visually more attractive alternative to the traditional waist-high turnstile. In an optical turnstile, typically an infrared beam is broken by a person going through the unit, indicating movement. What happens after the turnstile senses movement depends on the model of optical turnstile. Some optical turnstiles are barrier-free. Others have metal arms or acrylic wings that move to allow a person through.

Note that optical turnstiles can detect tailgating or piggybacking, where an unauthorized person closely follows an authorized person to get through the turnstile without authentication. This is an important feature for facilities using an access control system.

Access control

There are a variety of mechanisms that can be used to control not only how people move into an office building, plant, or theater, but also who is permitted in restricted areas. Tokens have been in use for many years as a way to gain access to a mass transit systems, such as subways. A stadium might have a ticket reader attached to the turnstile. More sophisticated access control devices may require the person to swipe or scan a security badge to enter an industrial plant or warehouse. The entrant may need a pin or a password. And more modern forms of access control may use biometric data. Biometric data can include fingerprint or hand scanning, facial recognition, iris recognition, and even odor.

When an access control option is in place, security is greatly increased. Unauthorized people are prevented from entering in most cases,by commonly a physical barrier. Colored lights and alarms may also sound, even with barrier-free turnstile systems.

In an office building or industrial setting, access control using a security badge or biometric data can be used to see exactly who is in the building—useful information in the event of an emergency—and when they entered or exited. Knowing when someone enters or exits can be used to determine anything from timecard fraud to where people were when an event occurred.

Direction control

Turnstiles can be bidirectional or unidirectional, depending on the needs of the facility. Bidirectional turnstiles work in situations where the entry and exit point are the same — a subway is a common application. Unidirectional turnstiles work where the entry and exit points are in different places. Think of an aquarium or zoo where people are supposed to go through exhibits in a particular direction. If someone tries to go the wrong way through this type of turnstile, they will find that it is locked in that direction. Some models can be changed to allow entry, exit, or both depending on the needs at the time.

Turnstiles enhancing security at amusement parks and stadiums

Basic turnstiles are a common feature at amusement parks and stadiums. Older models do little more than count people as they pass through. New innovations in technology now allow venue operators to integrate ticket scanning into their turnstile. Tickets may have a linear or matrix bar code. Visitors may be able to print out their own scannable tickets or present a smartphone image to the turnstile to gain access. This reduces the number of ticket takers needed and allows for better customer service.

Earlier this year, the American Public Health Association conducted a public opinion poll about carrying firearms into about nine types of public places. Less than a third of the 3,949 adults in the U.S. poll supported carrying guns in public spaces. The place that people were least likely to support gun possession was in sports stadiums, at only 17 percent. Clearly, people are willing to go through an integrated security system using personnel, turnstiles, metal detectors, and other equipment that will help them stay safe from gun violence.

Security at small- and medium-sized venues

Unless required by a contract, many small and medium size venues do not implement turnstiles as part of a security plan. Because they have smaller crowds, their perception is that it is unlikely that they will be targeted. Sadly, unfortunate events do occur at smaller venues. Movie theaters have been a growing target of violence. The savage massacre at the 1,500 seat Bataclan Theatre in France is an example of a place where turnstiles may have helped to deter terrorism.

A key factor for many establishments is price. Facilities that may want turnstiles find the cost for a unit is outside of their budget. But not everyone needs a full-height or optical turnstile. Smaller facilities that do buy turnstiles may be tempted to purchase a cheap model. One problem is that these turnstile require more maintenance. With the added cost of maintenance and potential for customer frustration, a quality turnstile is a better investment.

Benefits to purchasing a good quality turnstile include:

Professional installation
Faster lines
Minimal maintenance
Tamper resistance

Takeaway Points

Given increased public violence, anyone in charge of a facility should be concerned about sufficient security. Large venues have typically already implemented security measures, including turnstiles. Medium- and small-sized venues may be resistant to purchasing due to perceived lack of threat or budgetary constraints. A quality turnstile offers many options to improve safety. Even a basic model forces people to move through the barrier area in a single-file. Counters are a common feature. There are many options for access control systems to keep out unauthorized people and monitor who is (or is not) in the building at a particular time. Optical turnstiles are often more aesthetically pleasing and have added features that help prevent tailgating.

Places that may benefit from turnstiles

Convention Centers
Courts and Prisons
Casinos and Cruise Ships
Industrial Plants
Mass Transit Systems, including Subways, Airports, and Train Stations
Museums and Libraries
Office Buildings
Parking Garages
Parks and Recreational Facilities
Race tracks (cars, horses, dogs)
High Schools, Colleges and Universities
Ski Areas
Supermarkets and other Retail Locations
Warehouses and Distribution Centers
Zoos and Aquariums

One use of security systems is to prevent violent episodes at work. Workplace violence can occur for a number of reasons. A common image people have regarding workplace violence is a disgruntled, gun-toting man returning to his former employer to take vengeance. While these events are a reality, workplace violence comes from other sources as well. Domestic disputes can spill over into the workplace. Demonstrations against an organization may become uncontrolled, resulting in property damage and concerns about violent reactions.

Even when violence, or the threat of violence, has no physical impact, companies can suffer from the negative effects violence has on employees’ morale and their ability to perform their job duties. When such events become part of public discourse through the media, the reputation of a company may suffer.

According to 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015 there were 703 counts of “violence and other injuries by persons or animals” in the workplace. The good news is that this is a decrease of 62 counts of violence in 2014. The bad news? 2015’s number included 417 homicides, a two percent increase over the prior year.

Domestic Violence

In general, 27.3% of American women are subject to domestic violence. Of the 61 female workplace homicide victims in 2015, 43% were killed by a relative or domestic partner. Arguments and physical fighting that start at home do not always stay at home. Sometimes the attacker will not be satisfied with a parking lot confrontation at the workplace. People have entered buildings and offices to continue the fight. Sometimes these situations turn violent.

Protests

Businesses may find themselves at odds with sectors of the general public. In one incident, protesters entered the main floor of a building occupied by a financial institution. Their plan was to not only protest the firm, but also to prevent business from being conducted. The protesters did successfully disrupt banking transactions that day. Fortunately, no one was hurt — but more could have been done to keep out the unwanted trespassers.

Preventing Unauthorized Access

There are a myriad of physical and electronic access control devices that ensure only employees or authorized visitors can enter an office building, industrial facility, or warehouse. Some may require the person to swipe or scan a security badge or require the entrant to possess a pin or password.

When an access control option is integrated with a barrier system, such as a turnstile, security is greatly increased. Turnstiles create a physical barrier that cannot be circumvented without drawing attention to the malevolent intruder. Special options can be added to increase the effectiveness of a turnstile. A full-height turnstile prevents someone from “jumping” the turnstile. Optical turnstiles prevent “tailgating.” Tailgating occurs when an unauthorized person closely follows someone who is legitimately passing through the turnstile. These optical turnstiles use infrared beams and receptors to detect when more than one person has entered on a single authorization. Lights and alarms are then activated to notify security.

While there is no way to completely prevent workplace violence, there are steps security managers can take to minimize incidents. Integrating a security turnstile into an access control system that involves security personnel and mental detectors is part of the solution. When used properly, there is less possibility that a workplace will turn into a crime scene. The loss of productivity, lowered morale, and negative publicity that result from a violent incident negatively impact operations. Keeping employees safe is a smart business decision.