All-Star Game Hopes to Hit Homerun with Security

All-Star Game Hopes to Hit Homerun with Security

  • By Ginger Hill
  • May 04, 2015

For all you baseball fans, the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be hosted by the Cincinnati Reds and played at the Great American Ball Park. This is the 86th edition and it’s sure to draw huge crowds; therefore, as the city actively prepares to take national spotlight, this will be one of the biggest security challenges Cincinnati has seen in a while.

For months now, city, state and federal agencies have been working on developing effective security plans for this event.

The security operation will stretch from the river to the bridges to the air space above the ballpark. Roaming the streets of downtown will be police and FBI agents while a command center in South Fairmont will use cameras and radio reports to keep an eye on the crowds. The command center is the heart of the whole security operation and includes a two-story video screen, state-of-the-art communications equipment and anti-terrorism gear. It’s up to federal officials to monitor the barge, rail and air traffic. And, as for drones, high-tech jamming equipment will be on hand to knock them down.

Additionally, dozens of local, state and federal agencies will keep an eye on all events, including the week-long festival consisting of a concert, street fair, home run derby and “legends” game as well as a 5K race with an expected 20,000 runners. If more security resources are needed, these agencies will bring them in.

For game day, police will handle crowd control as thousands of people pour into and out of the stadium. Firefighters will be available for emergencies and the FAA is in charge of regulating air traffic. The Coast Guard will protect the river, while the FBI will provide intelligence on potential threats.

Of course, safety is the top priority, but even people working in security don’t want to have an in-your-face presence toward baseball lovers.

“This city’s desire is that when people turn off their TVs or drive out of the city and look in their rearview mirror, what comes to their mind is ‘Wow!,’” said Mike Neville, Cincinnati Police Captain.

In total, Cincinnati expects to drop anywhere from $600,000 to $1 million on security for this huge event.

Image: photo.ua / Shutterstock.com

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.