More Security Needed
- By Lindsay Page
- November 01, 2017
AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS, THE LAS VEGAS SHOOTING
IS A FRESH WOUND. NOW KNOWN AS THE LARGEST
MASS SHOOTING IN MODERN U.S. HISTORY, EVERYONE
IS TALKING ABOUT EVENT AND HOTEL SECURITY, AND
HOW THERE IS A HUGE NEED FOR MORE SECURITY AT
THESE VENUES. ON OCTOBER 1, STEPHEN PADDOCK, A
64-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM MESQUITE, NEVADA, DECIDED
TO FIRE INTO THE CROWD AT THE ROUTE 91 CONCERT
FESTIVAL. 59 PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND MORE THAN
500 WERE INJURED, FOREVER CHANGING THE LIVES OF
THOSE WHO WERE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE CATASTROPHE—
AND EVEN THOSE WHO WEREN’T.
Event security is now at the forefront of many minds across the
world. I’ve even spoken to a few people, including close friends of
mine, who said they are now worried about attending concerts for fear
of a similar shooting to take place. And that fear is something we cannot
let terrible, evil people like Paddock change our lives for the worse;
we cannot live in fear. But, we can do something about it. Musicians,
such as Lady Gaga, are even stepping into the discussion about making
security better for their fans and for themselves and their crews.
An increase in security measures is a necessity; public concerts,
sporting events and other events that could draw in large crowds need
to do their best to protect everyone who is attending. More security
officers, an increase in metal detectors and screening processes are just
a few ways to help decrease the risks. Teams who have been trained to
recognize potentially dangerous behavior is also another way to try
and prevent these terrible tragedies.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Vegas.
This article originally appeared in the November 2017 issue of Campus Security Today.
About the Author
Lindsay Page is the editor for Campus Security & Life Safety magazine, and the senior editor for Security Today.