A new $4.73 million U.S. Department of Defense grant will enable the University of Southern Mississippi and the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) to identify gaps in security for sports and entertainment events, review and test innovations provided by the DoD, and potentially commercialize them for use at venues around the U.S.

Large venues pose unique challenges to security and emergency preparedness. The combination of dense crowds, media visibility and high economic value at such events creates great risk to people, property and reputation. But how do you ensure strong security while also ensuring your patrons and fans still have fun?

Aloha Stadium previously did not restrict the number or size of bags visitors brought, and large strollers were allowed. Moving forward, however, stadium-goers may each bring one bag into the stadium not exceeding 12” by 6” by 12”.

“Given today’s climate regarding security, we have to be able to optimize our security presence on campus as much as possible,” says Frank Solano, Security Systems Manager for McCormick Place. “That means using technology and other tools to keep our visitors safe."

Festival-goers should expect enhanced security at Lollapalooza this weekend in Chicago, as more police, fencing, bag restrictions and airport-style screening are added to the annual Grant Park event.

The security industry’s calendar seems to revolve around a few key events: ISC West, ASIS International’s Global Security Exchange (GSX), ISC East… But have you ever considered how much effort goes into securing tradeshows and other large-scale events?

“The country’s come quite a long way. Fans now expect security, and it made me feel good that I could take my wife and daughter to a baseball game, spend a couple hundred dollars, and feel safe about it,” says Adam Stockwell, Vice President of Security for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Trump administration urged Congress this week to give it new powers to disable or destroy threatening drones. According to Reuters, written testimony from David Glawe, undersecretary for intelligence and analysis at DHS, and Hayley Chang, DHS deputy general counsel, said that “terrorist groups overseas use drones to conduct attacks on the battlefield and continue to plot to use them in terrorist attacks elsewhere. This is a very serious, looming threat that we are currently underprepared to confront.”