All-Star Game Hopes to Hit Homerun with Security

All-Star Game Hopes to Hit Homerun with Security

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

New Products

  • 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.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.