A roundup of recent safety and security headlines in the athletics industry:
NHL Initiates League-Wide Use of Metal Detectors
Starting this season, the National Hockey League will require that all 30 arenas that house its teams use metal detectors at all entryways.
The change will take place beginning with preseason games, which have already begun.
Fans will have to prepare to remove all metal from their pockets, and will still be subject to standard practice bag checks.
“It’s the trend of the industry,” deputy NHL commissioner Bill Daly said. “For better or worse, we live in an uncertain world, and it has to be of paramount importance to us, the health and safety of our fans, and an extra precaution that might take an extra 30 seconds for each fan I think is more than worth it if it means you’re creating a safer environment for your fanbase.”
Video Shows 49ers Fans Attacking Vikings Fan
A group of four San Francisco 49ers fans were filmed as they attacked a Minnesota Vikings fan after the teams played to start their regular seasons.
The video shows an outmanned security employee trying to break up the fight.
After the game at Levi’s Stadium, the Vikings fan was attacked in what appears to be a stadium parking lot.
Eventually, more security workers arrived to break up the fight.
Four people, including a minor, were arrested in connection to the incident.
The video can be viewed below, but warning: it is graphic and has explicit language:
Drone Crash at U.S. Open Raises Security Concerns
A drone crashed into the seats at Louis Armstrong Stadium during the U.S. Open earlier this month, and it has security officials questioning whether more can be done to prevent these kinds of incidents from recurring.
The drone, which was had been flown by a high school science teacher Daniel Verley from a nearby park, crashed during a women’s singles match and caused a scare. Verley turned himself in and was arrested on reckless endangerment charges, among others.
Drone crash-lands at US Open via Eysys https://t.co/bG9YwyknIQ
— EYSYS (@eysysVideos) September 9, 2015
No one was hurt in the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration made it illegal to fly the aircraft near any major sporting event, including MLB games, NFL games and NCAA college football games.
[Yahoo]
Maryland Evacuates Stadium During Lightning Delay
The University of Maryland evacuated their stadium for a lightning delay during a game against Bowling Green earlier this month.
Fans were ushered out of the stadium by security personnel. Some fans were left out in the storm.
We ask fans to please evacuate the stadium until continuation of play is authorized.
— Terps Gameday (@TerpsGameday) September 12, 2015
Fans were eventually allowed back into the stadium and the game was finished. Maryland lost 48-27.
High School Sports Activities Continue After Bomb Threat
Sports practices and games went on as scheduled Tuesday at Sanderson High School, despite a bomb threat that caused a lockdown earlier that day.
Authorities investigated the bomb threat while students and faculty were evacuated to the school’s stadium.
No threat was found, and an all clear was given around noon. Students and faculty returned to the building and finished the day.
