Fenway Park security was tightened for the '17 ALDS after the Las Vegas shootingsgetty images
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is "creating a task force made up of statewide security experts charged with making sure large venues like concert halls and sports stadiums are safe and prepared for any risk," according to Kathleen McKiernan of the BOSTON HERALD. The task force is "responsible for identifying the safety and security risks facing large venues, recommending standards for planning, training, intelligence-gathering and sharing, conducting a review of best practices around the world for public-private partnerships in ensuring large venue security and drafting any recommended changes to statutes and regulations to make sure best practices are put in place in Massachusetts." The task force has until April 30, 2019, to "submit the strategic plan to Baker's office." The task force will be "made up of 16 members," and will include Red Sox VP/Ballpark Operations Peter Nesbit. Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, also a member, said, "I don't believe there has been anything like this anywhere in the country" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/5). TD Garden President Amy Latimer said of the task force, "We all know each other but we haven't necessarily sat in a room and said what are the best practices. What are the things that we can do together, what can we learn from each other?" (NBCSPORTSBOSTON.com, 10/4).
New Era Field is now the 15th NFL stadium to receive some level of SAFETY Act protectiongetty images
SECURITY SYSTEM: The Bills and Erie County Stadium Corp., the municipal owner of New Era Field, have been awarded a SAFETY Act designation from the Department of Homeland Security -- the agency’s second-highest award -- for security practices at the stadium. Designation is a prerequisite for certification and gives the team a significant level of liability protection through October '23 if an incident at the site is deemed by DHS to be an “act of terrorism.” The program promotes the creation, deployment and use of anti-terrorism technologies and practices. It was enacted in ‘02 in response to lawsuits filed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. N.Y.-based Petrone Risk served as the team’s consultant for the lengthy process, the firm’s fourth NFL client to be awarded in the past 13 months. The venue is the 15th NFL stadium to receive some level of SAFETY Act protection (David Broughton, THE DAILY).
