Though the terrorist attacks in Paris at Le Petit Cambodge restaurant, the Stade de France soccer stadium and Le Bataclan Concert Hall that occurred on Nov.13 happened almost a week ago, killing 129 and injuring 350, the effects are still being felt around the world and in the sports and entertainment industry.
As Dan Beckerman, CEO, AEG, which manages venues around the world, said, "Obviously, our highest priority is the safety and security of fans and guests." That has been top of mind for AEG since Staples Center, Los Angeles, opened and throughout its family of AEG Facilities worldwide. Staples Center has the latest and best technology, including walk through metal detectors at its entrances to the arena and the offices, which "should be the standard," Beckerman said.
Venue managers consistently work with law enforcement, local, state and federal, on security. But when attacks occur, particularly in sports and entetainment gathering places, the gut reaction is to check and double check everything possible is being done.
AEG Facilities were among those experiencing cancellations in the wake of the carnage in Paris, including a U2 stop at the newly reopend and renamed Bercy Arena (AccorHotels Arena now) in Paris.
On Tuesday, a soccer game between Germany and the Netherlands was canceled less than two hours before it was set to start and fans were evacuated from the Niedersachsenstadion stadium in Hannover, Germany, due to suspected bomb threats. No explosives were found at the stadium.
That same night, a soccer game between England and France went on as planned at Wembley Stadium in London, with over 71,000 fans in attendance. Security screenings and police presence were increased for the game, and fans were encouraged to show up early, because of the longer process. In a show of solidarity, Wembley's metal arch was illuminated in blue, white and red, joining a number of global landmarks that paid tribute to the French flag.
The Sydney Opera House, the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Convention Centre in Dublin and other landmarks around the world paid tribute to France by lighting up with the country’s blue, white and red. One World Trade Center, New York, lit its 408-ft. spire in the tricolor pattern. Some, like the Metropolitan Opera, showed its support for the people of Paris by opening its Saturday matinee with the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise.” Others, like the National Football League, chose silence, beginning each of Sunday’s games with a moment of noiseless reflection in honor of the victims of the attacks.
The NFL released a statement leading up to Sunday’s games regarding safety measures that were being taken at stadiums around the country. It said they had been in communication with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, and no threats against NFL stadiums were known.
“In addition to our standard procedures described above, there will be an increased security and law enforcement presence both inside and outside stadiums in the parking lots of our stadiums this weekend,” the statement read. “We have been in contact with clubs hosting games to reinforce our standard procedures and the league’s best practices.”
Following the attacks, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams proposed emergency drills for large venues, event spaces and malls in the city. He planned to hold emergency meetings with managers from Barclays Center, Brooklyn, and other venues to implement the drills.
“After the tragic events in Paris, we have taken added steps to enhance our security measures both outside and inside the building,” Barclays Center said in a statement. “Some measures will be visible, some will not. We are working in close coordination with the New York City Police Department as we continue to ensure the safety of our guests. Due to the heightened measures, we encourage fans coming to Barclays Center events to arrive early. As always, safety is our top priority.”
The attacks will mean changes for music venues as well, which some refer to as “soft targets.” In Paris, 1,500 people were packed into Le Bataclan Concert Hall for a rock show where gunmen were able to enter and kill 89 people. Music venues like this can be more difficult to secure and don’t have rules in place like the NFL’s clear bag policy. Live Nation is one that has said in a statement it will increase security at its venues.
“Due to the recent events in Paris and in an abundance of caution we have implemented heightened security procedures globally,” the statement said. “However, because of the sensitive nature of these protocols, we cannot elaborate further on the specific details.”
U2 canceled both Paris shows scheduled for the weekend following the Friday attacks, and the Foo Fighters announced the cancellations of their remaining four European shows, including a Monday Paris show and Tuesday Lyon date. The Deftones were scheduled to play Le Bataclan on Nov. 16, which was canceled, and a number of other artists have chosen to cancel their European dates as well.
In the wake of these attacks, the Department of Homeland Security has stressed certain initiatives for public assembly venues, starting with the importance of the See Something, Say Something rule, which should extend to staff working parking entries as well. By employing an enhanced and visible presence on the secondary approach and arrival, it will assure arriving guests that the staff is aware and taking the necessary steps to protect their safety. One recommendation is to move some of the activation tower law enforcement assets out to the perimeter to be more visible to arriving guests.
Based on the stadium event in Paris, the recommendation is to review both shelter-in-place and evacuation procedures. This would include both process and procedures, including, but not limited to, communication, decision making and execution coordinating with all affected parties as well as fans in-stadium via mobile app, media partners and any additional communication and information vehicles.