College Stadiums Unsafe
This statement comes from Jim McGee, a former FBI agent who is now part of the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Spectator Sports Security Management. According to him:
“It’s always in the back of my mind, even when I’m watching them on TV. You’re kind of looking at things. The thing is if I can sit there or any spectator can sit there, and think, ‘Hmmm, that doesn’t look right,’ that’s probably a little bit of a risk there.”
People who are concerned about this issue compare the importance placed on security when it comes to professional sports. They claim that college sporting events do not have enough security, which makes them soft targets. What are the implications of this?
Bill Flynn of the Homeland Security says:
“Stadiums and arenas are a concern, something that we want to pay attention to. Why? Because we’ve seen attacks overseas in resorts, hotels and arenas, so obviously while al-Qaida and the terrorists have attempted to hit hard targets like refineries, soft targets and commercial facilities become more of a target of opportunity.”
I think that McGee and Flynn are raising very valid points here. We all know that college sports is a huge part of our lives. Year in and year out, countless people flock to various stadiums all over the country to witness their teams play. This is especially true during the times of the year when the final games (of whatever sport) come around.
I am sure there would be some who would think that terrorists would not even think of targeting such “insignificant” events. Yet think about it, they know that after 911, the security in major locations throughout the country has been tightened, making it difficult for them to do anything. What would be their next step, if they indeed have one? The soft targets would be the logical answer.
Now I am not trying to incite fear - as I am sure McGee and Flynn are not. It’s just a matter of preventing possible scenarios from happening and not having regrets if they do occur. After all, we are all about keeping our schools safe - why not extracurricular activities such as big sporting events as well?
As things stand right now, though, the NCAA does not seem amenable to the suggestions. The big problem is money. This is where things come at a standstill. Let’s hope that something can be done to keep college stadiums and arenas safer in the coming year.
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Posted on December 31st, 2007 by Deborah J Thomas
Filed under: Administrators, College, People Involved, School Grade Level, School Safety Issues, Security
Having three children in three different schools, keeping my kids safe at school is paramount!
I recently retired from the Fire Serice following an injury but have set out to make a difference (saving lives) on a global scale.
A component of the EmergiLink system called “Zingerang” will help keep our kids safe at school–all schools. Getting heard and the program up and running to protect our kids is near impossible.
I say this as my own school system made a decision not to use the program without ever seeing it work.
Bottom line, is I teamed up with Zingerang to add this component to an elctronic medical record with fingerprint solutions and found that it actually will work very well as a stand-alone warning system for emergencies that occur on campus.
Teachers, other faculty members and even students can utilize ths system on any mobile communication device. It is a real time- 2way messaging system with an audible alert. With the prevelent use of laptops, smart phones and PDA’s, everyone can add the Zingerang client to their device and be put in the warning loop.
I beleive this system to be a huge breakthrough and it WILL keep our kids safer at school. Getting people to believe me and spend 15 minutes seeing how it works–is another thing.
Hopefully I will get the attention of the powers that be and the opportunity to show exactly how we can once again bring safety to our students and peace of mind to those entrusted with their lives daily–not to mention bringing conficence to parents who will wonder on a daily basis if their student will fall victim to more of these tragtic occurances.