Monday, November 1, 2010
Avatars to the rescue
SportEvac is creating a program that will populate a model of a facility with thousands of avatars who each have their own individual actions to test emergency exiting during various scenarios. The system would allow programmers to set the parameters and then see how people might actually respond.
Euro 2012
What will happen with Serb supporters? Whether they are protesting the government or EU candidacy, there is no excuse for their fans acting so poorly. If If the UEFA wants to really set an example, the team could be excluded from moving forward. Such a stiff penalty will help show other hooligans that if they cause problems, their teams are going to be punished.
Gil-
Gil-
Halloween in Madison
Halloween celebrations in Madison, Wisconsin have been extremely dangerous. In 2006 450 people were arrested and there was $350,000 spent on policing to protect the crowd and private property. The party would draw close to 200,000 revelers and they would end up smashing windows, looting, setting fires, etc... all in the name of fun. The Mayor turned the event into Freakfest and closed off the main street. They charged party goers $5 each, limited the number to 80,000 and had a budget of $400,000 for the event (80% dedicated to security). The event has evolved and is not as dynamic as it was before the corporate and government involvement. However, the number of arrests and amount of damage has been significantly decreased. Arrests in 2009 were down 89% from 2005 numbers. Thus, while some might complain government sold out the event to corporate marketers, the key is there are fewer injuries, the crowd is more contained, and there are fewer arrests. All around a better choice in my book.
Sneaking into stadium in the open
Sometimes coming right in is the easiest way to avoid a security program.
National Guardsman Sneaks Into Michigan Football Game Carrying Two Rifles
by Ian Casselberry • Oct 23, 2010 3:08 PM EDT
It might be a good thing that the Michigan football team doesn't have another home game until November 6, because the security staff at Michigan Stadium apparently has some details to work out.
A National Guardsman was able to make his way onto the field during the Michigan-Michigan State on October 9 packing two M-16 assault rifles. Security let the 42-year-old man into the stadium, presumably believing he was part of the honor guard that raises and lowers the flag in the south end zone. He did not have a ticket to the game.
The man's weapons were checked, however, and found to have no ammunition. He gained access to the field through the stadium tunnel.
A member of the honor guard noticed the man's presence on the field and notified campus police that he was not a part of their group. Police then questioned him and escorted him out of the stadium.
U-M police spokeswoman Diane Brown said the man admitted he used his uniform (and a military vehicle) to gain access to the game.
http://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-wolverines/2010/10/23/1769642/national-guardsman-sneaks-into-michigan-football-game-carrying-rifles
A similar incident happened the prior week in Lousiville.
Saturday U of L game against Connecticut first use of stadium since security breach
by Mike Colombo
WHAS11.com
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Related:
•Police: Two men get onto field during U of L football game, one with a gun
(WHAS11) Saturday marked the first game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium since two men dressed in security uniforms, one of them armed with a gun, snuck onto the field during last week’s U of L and Cincinnati football game.
The men were quickly spotted and arrested, but has the incident changed security at the stadium?
There is definitely real security at the stadium now, since two men who dressed the part were able to get in and down to the field. The university said the incident has brought heightened awareness to security.
The way fans were filing in to the stadium Saturday for the Connecticut game, is the same way Elgin Bullock and Chris Scheitlin entered last Friday night’s game. Police said the two men were dressed as security guards, complete with handcuffs and one of the men even wearing a holster with a loaded gun attached. One of the men arrested actually owns his own security company.
When questioned by police, the men said they had contracts with U of L and were working security for the game a lie that got the men arrested and charged with criminal trespassing. The incident, however, is bringing a new sense of vigilance to U of L game security.
Associate Athletic Director Kenny Klein said that for each game, security, both uniformed and undercover, from LMPD, the state police and campus police are used to insure safety and security on the field and in the stands. He said the incident hasn’t resulted in a security overhaul, but definitely a closer attention to detail. “We have a lot of security measures in place and this probably gives us another check to be prepared for,” said Klein. “There’s certainly a heightened awareness given that situation happened.”
http://www.whas11.com/community/Saturday-U-of-L-game-against-Connecticut-first-use-of-stadium-since-security-breach-105605368.html#
National Guardsman Sneaks Into Michigan Football Game Carrying Two Rifles
by Ian Casselberry • Oct 23, 2010 3:08 PM EDT
It might be a good thing that the Michigan football team doesn't have another home game until November 6, because the security staff at Michigan Stadium apparently has some details to work out.
A National Guardsman was able to make his way onto the field during the Michigan-Michigan State on October 9 packing two M-16 assault rifles. Security let the 42-year-old man into the stadium, presumably believing he was part of the honor guard that raises and lowers the flag in the south end zone. He did not have a ticket to the game.
The man's weapons were checked, however, and found to have no ammunition. He gained access to the field through the stadium tunnel.
A member of the honor guard noticed the man's presence on the field and notified campus police that he was not a part of their group. Police then questioned him and escorted him out of the stadium.
U-M police spokeswoman Diane Brown said the man admitted he used his uniform (and a military vehicle) to gain access to the game.
http://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-wolverines/2010/10/23/1769642/national-guardsman-sneaks-into-michigan-football-game-carrying-rifles
A similar incident happened the prior week in Lousiville.
Saturday U of L game against Connecticut first use of stadium since security breach
by Mike Colombo
WHAS11.com
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Related:
•Police: Two men get onto field during U of L football game, one with a gun
(WHAS11) Saturday marked the first game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium since two men dressed in security uniforms, one of them armed with a gun, snuck onto the field during last week’s U of L and Cincinnati football game.
The men were quickly spotted and arrested, but has the incident changed security at the stadium?
There is definitely real security at the stadium now, since two men who dressed the part were able to get in and down to the field. The university said the incident has brought heightened awareness to security.
The way fans were filing in to the stadium Saturday for the Connecticut game, is the same way Elgin Bullock and Chris Scheitlin entered last Friday night’s game. Police said the two men were dressed as security guards, complete with handcuffs and one of the men even wearing a holster with a loaded gun attached. One of the men arrested actually owns his own security company.
When questioned by police, the men said they had contracts with U of L and were working security for the game a lie that got the men arrested and charged with criminal trespassing. The incident, however, is bringing a new sense of vigilance to U of L game security.
Associate Athletic Director Kenny Klein said that for each game, security, both uniformed and undercover, from LMPD, the state police and campus police are used to insure safety and security on the field and in the stands. He said the incident hasn’t resulted in a security overhaul, but definitely a closer attention to detail. “We have a lot of security measures in place and this probably gives us another check to be prepared for,” said Klein. “There’s certainly a heightened awareness given that situation happened.”
http://www.whas11.com/community/Saturday-U-of-L-game-against-Connecticut-first-use-of-stadium-since-security-breach-105605368.html#
Stadium attack stopped in Yemen
Security forces say they thwarted a bomb attack in southern Yemen
By Mohammed Jamjoom, CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The attack was to target a sports stadium
A regional soccer tournament is set to take place at the stadium next month
Yemeni officials insist the country is ready to host the competition
(CNN) -- Yemeni security forces have thwarted a plan to bomb a sports stadium in the southern city of Aden, scheduled to host the Gulf Cup soccer tournament next month, officials said Sunday.
Aden Security Chief, Brigadier-General Abdullah Giran said a suspected member of a separatist movement was caught placing a bag that contained about 1,800 grams of dynamite in the vicinity of Al-Wahdah stadium.
Giran declined to say when the incident took place.
The Gulf Cup soccer tournament, scheduled to start November 22 and run through early December, will host teams from Iraq, Yemen and six Gulf States.
The Yemeni government is eager to show it can maintain order as several of its neighbors have voiced concern the country might not be secure enough to host the competition.
Ahmed al Eisi, head of the Yemeni Football Association, is touring the region to invite sports ministers to attend the opening of the games, according to Saba, Yemen's official news agency.
"He affirmed all stadiums and facilities are ready for the championship, and the trip aims to kill all doubts and bids about the possibility that Yemen will be unable to host the championship," Saba said.
Also Sunday, a hearing was held in Aden for five suspects accused of blowing up explosives in a sports center, according to the news agency. It was not immediately clear when the attack, which Saba said killed four people, took place.
Yemen has become a key battleground for al Qaeda since a local affiliate calling itself al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was established in 2009.
Over the weekend, security forces there swept into Shabwa province, a region thought to be a haven for al Qaeda. More than 1,000 soldiers and security officials were reported to be involved in the operation.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/10/24/yemen.attack.thwarted/index.html?eref=rss_world&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29
By Mohammed Jamjoom, CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The attack was to target a sports stadium
A regional soccer tournament is set to take place at the stadium next month
Yemeni officials insist the country is ready to host the competition
(CNN) -- Yemeni security forces have thwarted a plan to bomb a sports stadium in the southern city of Aden, scheduled to host the Gulf Cup soccer tournament next month, officials said Sunday.
Aden Security Chief, Brigadier-General Abdullah Giran said a suspected member of a separatist movement was caught placing a bag that contained about 1,800 grams of dynamite in the vicinity of Al-Wahdah stadium.
Giran declined to say when the incident took place.
The Gulf Cup soccer tournament, scheduled to start November 22 and run through early December, will host teams from Iraq, Yemen and six Gulf States.
The Yemeni government is eager to show it can maintain order as several of its neighbors have voiced concern the country might not be secure enough to host the competition.
Ahmed al Eisi, head of the Yemeni Football Association, is touring the region to invite sports ministers to attend the opening of the games, according to Saba, Yemen's official news agency.
"He affirmed all stadiums and facilities are ready for the championship, and the trip aims to kill all doubts and bids about the possibility that Yemen will be unable to host the championship," Saba said.
Also Sunday, a hearing was held in Aden for five suspects accused of blowing up explosives in a sports center, according to the news agency. It was not immediately clear when the attack, which Saba said killed four people, took place.
Yemen has become a key battleground for al Qaeda since a local affiliate calling itself al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was established in 2009.
Over the weekend, security forces there swept into Shabwa province, a region thought to be a haven for al Qaeda. More than 1,000 soldiers and security officials were reported to be involved in the operation.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/10/24/yemen.attack.thwarted/index.html?eref=rss_world&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29
Monday, October 4, 2010
Can't Duck Problems with Fans
The following article highlights that even a pre-game show broadcast can generate a crowd and crowd management problems.
Gil-
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/sports/25359225-41/duck-gameday-college-fans-mascot.csp
Oregon football: It's bedlam on GameDay at Autzen Stadium |
Fans provide a raucous backdrop for ESPN’s live college football show
By Ron Bellamy
The Register-Guard
Appeared in print: Sunday, Oct 3, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The scene was, well, just ducky as ESPN College GameDay analyst Lee Corso donned the Duck head Saturday morning, embraced the Oregon Duck mascot, tried to join him in a push-up — not easy, wearing a Duck head — and was carried away on the shoulders of Duck cheerleaders.
For the fifth time in as many GameDay appearances in Eugene, Corso predicted an Oregon victory, and for the fifth time those associated with the production praised the enthusiasm and the “passion” of an estimated 3,200 Oregon fans who turned out before dawn.
However, that enthusiasm became dangerous when waiting spectators — some of whom had been in line since Friday evening, others since the wee hours of Saturday morning — pushed forward behind the permanent gates between the Casanova Center and Autzen Stadium around 3:15 a.m., breaking through to get to the set area in the Cas Center parking lot.
In a crush that was described as “scary,” several spectators fell, others were pinned against restraining barriers and a spectator in a wheelchair suffered an apparent hand injury and had his wheelchair “trashed.”
“The chants kept getting louder and more often and then people busted through the gate and it was like a madhouse,” said Jordan Schmidt, an 18-year-old Sheldon student who’d been waiting in line since 8:30 p.m. Friday with another Sheldon student, Eric Levine.
“I left the ground for about 90 seconds,” Levine said. “My feet didn’t touch the ground.”
The spectator in the wheelchair, 31-year-old Joshua Slonecker of Eugene, said he “got smashed into the fence by however many thousands of drunk college students rushing to get in here.”
Slonecker said he was spun around “three different times” in his wheelchair, but kept from falling out by grabbing the fence “or I would have gotten trampled.” One wheel of his chair was damaged — UO officials found Slonecker another wheelchair so he could watch the show — and Slonecker said paramedics told him he might have a hairline fracture of his ring finger.
Vicki Strand, UO director of athletic events services, said the melee forced security officials to open restraining barriers about an hour ahead of schedule.
“We made the decision that it was safer to get people where they were going than try to hold them back,” she said. Strand said some fans suffered minor injuries, but none requiring an ambulance to be called.
Even before the show started at 6 a.m., the assembled fans were revved and enthusiastic.
“We’ve been here five times now, and at other places that are regular stops on the tour there is a concern about complacency,” GameDay anchor Chris Fowler said afterward. “Are they going to get pumped up? Is the student body going to feel that the attraction has worn off?
“We did not have to worry about that in Eugene. The fact that people showed up so early, hours and hours before the show, was very flattering, and it really says more about their passion for their team and this program and their school than just seeing people do a TV show. I think it’s reflective of the spirit here.”
In the throng, fans held up signs that extolled the Ducks, mocked Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck — “Luck be a lady tonight” — and took shots at former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Read one sign: “Masoli stole my other sign.” When the big screen showed a clip of Masoli, now at Ole Miss, warming up for Saturday’s game against Kentucky, students began chanting “Where’s my laptop?”
Although Oregon coach Chip Kelly made another appearance — in a business suit for an on-set interview, rather than popping out from under the Duck head like last year — the star of the show was arguably the Duck mascot, whose antics at one point caused analyst Kirk Herbstreit to quack up, as it were.
“The Duck’s awesome,” Fowler said. “The Duck is what a college mascot should be. He’s creative, he’s fun, puts a lot of thought and energy into his job. ... Of course it’s distracting, but that’s all part of the fun. If we wanted a non-distracting environment we’d stay in a studio.”
Producer Lee Fitting rated the show as “tremendous. I don’t know if it was the early morning, or the mood the guys were in, or the crowd was so passionate. I laughed the entire show. ... This place is always one of our favorite stops and it didn’t disappoint today.
“It’s sort of this eerie, wacky, crazy setting, half in the dark, half out of the dark, the day-glo signs, the passion from the fans, looking for respect from the Pac-10, it’s a great spot.”
Gil-
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/sports/25359225-41/duck-gameday-college-fans-mascot.csp
Oregon football: It's bedlam on GameDay at Autzen Stadium |
Fans provide a raucous backdrop for ESPN’s live college football show
By Ron Bellamy
The Register-Guard
Appeared in print: Sunday, Oct 3, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The scene was, well, just ducky as ESPN College GameDay analyst Lee Corso donned the Duck head Saturday morning, embraced the Oregon Duck mascot, tried to join him in a push-up — not easy, wearing a Duck head — and was carried away on the shoulders of Duck cheerleaders.
For the fifth time in as many GameDay appearances in Eugene, Corso predicted an Oregon victory, and for the fifth time those associated with the production praised the enthusiasm and the “passion” of an estimated 3,200 Oregon fans who turned out before dawn.
However, that enthusiasm became dangerous when waiting spectators — some of whom had been in line since Friday evening, others since the wee hours of Saturday morning — pushed forward behind the permanent gates between the Casanova Center and Autzen Stadium around 3:15 a.m., breaking through to get to the set area in the Cas Center parking lot.
In a crush that was described as “scary,” several spectators fell, others were pinned against restraining barriers and a spectator in a wheelchair suffered an apparent hand injury and had his wheelchair “trashed.”
“The chants kept getting louder and more often and then people busted through the gate and it was like a madhouse,” said Jordan Schmidt, an 18-year-old Sheldon student who’d been waiting in line since 8:30 p.m. Friday with another Sheldon student, Eric Levine.
“I left the ground for about 90 seconds,” Levine said. “My feet didn’t touch the ground.”
The spectator in the wheelchair, 31-year-old Joshua Slonecker of Eugene, said he “got smashed into the fence by however many thousands of drunk college students rushing to get in here.”
Slonecker said he was spun around “three different times” in his wheelchair, but kept from falling out by grabbing the fence “or I would have gotten trampled.” One wheel of his chair was damaged — UO officials found Slonecker another wheelchair so he could watch the show — and Slonecker said paramedics told him he might have a hairline fracture of his ring finger.
Vicki Strand, UO director of athletic events services, said the melee forced security officials to open restraining barriers about an hour ahead of schedule.
“We made the decision that it was safer to get people where they were going than try to hold them back,” she said. Strand said some fans suffered minor injuries, but none requiring an ambulance to be called.
Even before the show started at 6 a.m., the assembled fans were revved and enthusiastic.
“We’ve been here five times now, and at other places that are regular stops on the tour there is a concern about complacency,” GameDay anchor Chris Fowler said afterward. “Are they going to get pumped up? Is the student body going to feel that the attraction has worn off?
“We did not have to worry about that in Eugene. The fact that people showed up so early, hours and hours before the show, was very flattering, and it really says more about their passion for their team and this program and their school than just seeing people do a TV show. I think it’s reflective of the spirit here.”
In the throng, fans held up signs that extolled the Ducks, mocked Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck — “Luck be a lady tonight” — and took shots at former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Read one sign: “Masoli stole my other sign.” When the big screen showed a clip of Masoli, now at Ole Miss, warming up for Saturday’s game against Kentucky, students began chanting “Where’s my laptop?”
Although Oregon coach Chip Kelly made another appearance — in a business suit for an on-set interview, rather than popping out from under the Duck head like last year — the star of the show was arguably the Duck mascot, whose antics at one point caused analyst Kirk Herbstreit to quack up, as it were.
“The Duck’s awesome,” Fowler said. “The Duck is what a college mascot should be. He’s creative, he’s fun, puts a lot of thought and energy into his job. ... Of course it’s distracting, but that’s all part of the fun. If we wanted a non-distracting environment we’d stay in a studio.”
Producer Lee Fitting rated the show as “tremendous. I don’t know if it was the early morning, or the mood the guys were in, or the crowd was so passionate. I laughed the entire show. ... This place is always one of our favorite stops and it didn’t disappoint today.
“It’s sort of this eerie, wacky, crazy setting, half in the dark, half out of the dark, the day-glo signs, the passion from the fans, looking for respect from the Pac-10, it’s a great spot.”
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Monkey Business
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/s/2080/09-29-2010/20100929010500_11.html?DCMP=NWL-cons_sportslaw
Plan of the apes: Security officials use langurs
By CHRIS LEHOURITES AP Sports Writer
NEW DELHI (AP) - Security officials at the Commonwealth Games aren't monkeying around anymore, deploying langurs at several venues in New Delhi to keep the smaller simians from causing any trouble.
Langurs are a common type of monkey in south Asia, and because they are large and fierce they are often used in India to keep other species in check in public places.
The New Delhi Municipal Council said it will put 10 langurs on duty outside several venues starting Wednesday, but that number will increase in the days leading up to Sunday's opening ceremony.
Plan of the apes: Security officials use langurs
By CHRIS LEHOURITES AP Sports Writer
NEW DELHI (AP) - Security officials at the Commonwealth Games aren't monkeying around anymore, deploying langurs at several venues in New Delhi to keep the smaller simians from causing any trouble.
Langurs are a common type of monkey in south Asia, and because they are large and fierce they are often used in India to keep other species in check in public places.
The New Delhi Municipal Council said it will put 10 langurs on duty outside several venues starting Wednesday, but that number will increase in the days leading up to Sunday's opening ceremony.
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