In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Paris – and, more specifically, the massacre by IS gunmen of 89 Eagles of Death Metal fans at the Bataclan theatre – promoters and venue owners on both sides of the Atlantic (most vocally Live Nation Entertainment and AEG Live) have…
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Arkansas arena beefs up post-Paris security
Magnetometer metal detectors are now compulsory at the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock in what is fast becoming "standard practice" in the US
By Jon Chapple on 12 Jan 2016
image © Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
Walk-in magnetometers have been installed at the 18,000-seat Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as it introduces new security measures in the wake of terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.
The metal detectors are now mandatory at all Verizon Arena events, although there will be an expedited entry process for visitors without bags.
Despite claims by other news sites that the increased security at the Verizon is at the behest of Live Nation, which works closely with the venue, the arena’s general manager, Michael Marion, confirms to IQ that “that is not the case”.
“Since all the NBA and NHL venues started these procedures last fall, we have been discussing enhancing our security,” Marion explains. “The events in Paris and San Bernadino convinced us to adopt similar procedures.
“These new procedures are becoming standard practice in public assembly venues.”
Def Leppard, Cirque du Soleil, Mumford and Sons, Janet Jackson and Journey will play the Verizon Arena this year.
