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Indianapolis 500 Ramping Up Security For Sunday's Race Following Manchester Bombing

Fans going to the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday can "expect security to be as tight or tighter than it was for last year's 100th running in the wake of the suspected terrorist bombing in England and the announcement that Vice President Mike Pence would attend the race," according to a front-page piece by John Tuohy of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. In addition to the "large presence of officers from federal, state and local agencies, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is urging spectators to be hyper-vigilant of suspicious activity." Indiana State Police Capt. Dave Bursten said, "Security will be seen and unseen. But part of a good plan is not sharing specific details that could educate the very element that seeks to do harm." Tuohy notes Pence's role "has not been revealed." For the last three years, the Indianapolis 500 has "earned a Level 2 Special Event Assessment Rating from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, allowing the Indy 500 to receive federal help to support security efforts." Only around 12 events each year, such as the Super Bowl, "get the rating" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/24).

PLAN IN PLACE: Charlotte Motor Speedway officials said that they have a security "plan in place" for Sunday's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600. The officials added that it is "something they work on all year to make sure an event like the Coca-Cola 600 is as safe as can be." CMS VP/Communications Scott Cooper said, "We’ve got a great plan in place. We certainly follow the lead of the Homeland Security Department and the FBI, SBI." Cooper said that uniformed officers and undercover law enforcement "will be at the track." In Charlotte, Alex Giles notes bomb-sniffing dogs "will also be nearby, and all coolers will be checked at the entrances" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/24). Also in Charlotte, Sharon Smith notes 400,000 people are expected to "flock to the Circle K Speed Street this week." This year "marks the first year in recent times" that Charlotte has not "declared Speed Street an 'extraordinary event,' which gives police broader authority to search people" (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 5/24).

ADDED MEASURES: USA TODAY's Maria Puente writes protecting public venues "could be a problem just as the summer concert and music festival season is starting." Aside from sports events, live music concerts are the "most obvious public gatherings of mass audiences available, at least in the USA" (USA TODAY, 5/24). Pacers President & COO Rick Fuson in a statement noted Bankers Life Fieldhouse has "immediately enhanced its already stringent security standards" (Pacers). In New Jersey, Beckerman & Brennan in a front-page piece note Prudential Center, Barclays Center and MSG all "face the same kinds of security issues that police in Britain are grimly re-examining now." Staffers at these venues "more than likely" are having "serious meetings this week about upping their security game, retrofitting their facilities, and rethinking their strategy in light of Monday's tragedy." The three N.Y.-area venues are on or near city streets. Tickets are "taken at the door, or inside," and in the case of Barclays and MSG, the arenas are "right above subway and train lines." Penn Station passengers can get some distance into MSG "before they reach their first checkpoint." Former USOC Exec Dir Harvey Schiller said, "The best line of defense to stopping such incidents is behind-the-scenes investigative work -- finding out about a threat before it can happen. In other countries and -- as you can imagine -- the Olympics, there are much stricter checks and balances. There, security starts out way beyond the waiting areas. You see that in the Middle East, and we may see more and more of that. But it's not necessarily practical at a lot of U.S. venues" (Bergen RECORD, 5/24).

CHICAGO TAKING ACTION: In Chicago, Jamie Sotonoff in a front-page piece reports Allstate Arena last night "tightened its security" for a sold-out show by The Weeknd by "adding more police to patrol the property and gates, both on foot and in squad cars." Allstate Arena Exec Dir Pat Nagle said that additional undercover officers "mixed into the crowd, both inside and outside, to watch for suspicious behavior." Meanwhile, Wrigley Field "plans to add 30 more security cameras around the ballpark." While the cameras are "not in response to what happened in Manchester, the Cubs want them so police can have 360-degree views of what's going on outside and around the ballpark" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 5/24). Cubs VP/Communications & Community Affairs Julian Green said of the cameras, "This is not about any one particular incident. This is about ensuring one of the largest tourist attractions in the state is secure. ... That is a very huge step in strengthening ballpark security" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/24).

TAMPA READY: In Tampa, DiNatale & Cridlin report security will "remain tight for the Tampa Bay area's upcoming big-ticket shows." Raymond James Stadium is "slated to host the Sunset Music Festival this weekend, which drew 30,000 people last year." It is just "one of many concerts this summer that will require extensive security to manage large crowds." There is "typically no security measures for searching people outside venues." But former Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor said that officers have "long been trained to be alert to what's happening inside and outside venues with large crowds." Tampa police Public Safety Information Coordinator Steve Hegarty said that the city has "years of experience organizing security for major events" such as Super Bowls, the Stanley Cup Final and last year's CFP National Championship (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/24). 

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