Mpls. To Implement New Security Features For All-Star Game
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The last time baseball's All-Star Game was in Minnesota Pete Rose was still playing, the Metrodome was brand new and it cost $2 to watch the home run derby.
A lot has changed in 29 years.
This year, the Minneapolis Area Convention and Visitors Bureau projects the four-day All-Star Game events will bring in $75 million, and draw 160,000 visitors.
To prepare for the event, Minneapolis police department is working on a new security plan.
Police cameras have been keeping an eye on crime for some time, but now local businesses are adding their cameras and resources to a network called the Downtown Security Executive Group.
"Whether that's from their fusion center, whether it's from security officers on scene or property managers, all that information is going to flow into one single data base," assistant chief Matt Clark said.
Minneapolis police radios will also be linked with other agencies, including the Downtown Improvement District.
DID workers can directly report any suspicious activity.
"One of the programs we'll be using is a common radio link channel, called Radio Link. This will connect not only law enforcement to security but to outreach services, and so on," said Shane Zahn of the Downtown Improvement District.
Technology is a big part of this new effort, including cameras, computers, and communications.
"The way that we police and provide security is changing. The strategies are evolving. We have the opportunity and we strive to be more proactive, to be more preventative," Kevin Stewart of G4S Secure Solutions said.
"Coordination is key. If we need something, or we need to put some information out to any of the folks in these downtown businesses or any of our security executives, the Downtown Security Executive Group gives us the ability to do so," Clark said.
All-Star Game events kick off on July 11th and the All-Star game will be played on July 15th.
