Event security, especially for large gatherings like those at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, is becoming increasingly complex due to misinformation spread through social media and changing public attitudes. Joe Coomer, Vice President of Security, emphasizes the scale of operations required, given they manage over 700 security personnel plus medical staff. Recent events show how quickly misinformation can incite unrest, prompting security teams to preemptively address rumors. Moreover, societal shifts post-Covid have made crowd behavior less tolerant and more volatile, adding pressure on security teams to adapt and respond effectively.
We're basically a small city. My frontline security staff is over 500, augmented by another 150 police officers on the inside and 150 police officers on the outside.
At a previous venue I worked out west, we did a large international soccer game where misinformation was being shared on social media that the sheriff's department was checking IDs for targeted demographics.
Ever since Covid, there has been a change in the behavior of patrons. People are less tolerant these days, quicker to get angry.
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