DHS joins major sports leagues to upgrade stadium security

Under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate is assisting the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and National Basketball League (NBA) in updating sports security.

The act, first developed in 2002, allows DHS to provide private sector assistance if they have determined an act of terrorism has occurred. They can move to protect infrastructure and public areas through liability risk mitigation and litigation tools for related claims, as well as the implementation of layered security systems.

“SAFETY Act coverage for best practices programs protects the leagues that develop practices and disseminate the best practices down to member franchises for the franchises to use at their venues,” Bruce Davidson, director of the Office of SAFETY Act Implementation, said. “These best practices address most aspects of the venue’s security operations, including life safety, evacuations, patron screening, security equipment, delivery/loading dock screening, command and control, security personnel, access control, training, and more. The bottom line is: They are doing more to ensure the safety of everyone at their locations.”

As part of determination for individual stadiums and arenas to be covered, DHS undertook site visits during games, where they could see existing security operations at work. They also have asked those intending to apply in the future to consider sending in draft applications with which they can assist. To date, a dozen stadiums and arenas are benefiting from the act, with the majority in the NFL.