Phillies Testing Out Metal Detectors At Citizens Bank Park
By Syma Chowdhry
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A scene from an airport security line will be coming to a ballpark near you.
Starting next season, all Major League Baseball parks will be required to have metal detectors at the gates.
The Phillies wanted to get a jump start with this pilot program at the right field gate.
Director of Operations and Security, Salvatore DeAngelis, says, "We are trying to reduce the number of items that are brought into our ballpark that aren't caught through a basic pat-down."
Security officials are testing it out now to be better prepared for next year. That's when all four gates will be equipped with three to 10 metal detectors.
Not only will the detectors prevent weapons from getting in the park, but alcohol as well.
Salvatore says, "If someone were to bring a flask or cans of beer that would be picked up."
Last year, the NFL implemented a clear bag only rule, but Phillies security officials hope this can detect banned items fast without holding up the line.
Salvatore says, "Leave on your belt. Leave on your shoes. The only things we want you to take out are a camera, cell phone and keys. Anything else, coins smaller items that might be metal, can stay in your pocket."
Fans have mixed reactions to the metal detectors.
Elaine Eden says, "It's like the airport you have to do it there so why not here? This is a crazy world today, anything goes."
Another fan adds, "It needs to be done."
Lynn Veach offers a different opinion, "We keep giving more and more freedom in return for supposed safety and I think we are quite safe."
The metal detectors are located at the right field gate. Again, next year, each gate will have them.
CBS 3's Syma Chowdhry reached out to officials at Lincoln Financial Field and Wells Fargo Center. They say metal detectors are not in the near future for their venues, but they will continue to use handheld wands which detect metal.
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