Wednesday, September 19, 2001
New security plan clamps down on bag size
By Dave Bennett
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The colors of the night at Cinergy Field on Tuesday were red, white and blue — and yellow.
At least two employees of the Reds' public safety department were posted outside each gate to the stadium, wearing distinctive yellow windbreakers and enforcing security rules instituted after last week's terrorist attacks.
The Reds had announced that “large” bags were no longer allowed in the stadium, but some fans were surprised their bags fell into that category. Few protested when told they could not enter, but some were not pleased with the prospect of returning to their cars to drop off the bags.
Small bags are allowed in the stadium but are routinely searched. Those who bring food and drinks in plastic grocery bags are asked to dispose of the bags and carry the items in separately.
Moving the public safety employees outside the gates is part of the security plan developed by Major League Baseball and its teams over the past week, said director of stadium operations Declan Mullin.
Previously, “we were looking primarily for alcohol and that type of thing,” Mullin said. “Now we're looking for other types of things. It's very, very different.”
The Reds' security personnel were augmented by Cincinnati police inside and outside the stadium and by undercover personnel, Mullin said. The team also worked with Hamilton County to establish patrols of the stadium parking garage, he said.
So far there are no changes in the parking situation at Cinergy, although Mullin said the team was working with the county to “make sure we have the proper buffer or barriers in place” between the parking areas and the stadium.
Security was on the minds of Reds players, too.
“Oh sure, I think everybody's thought about it,” first baseman Sean Casey said. “We've talked about it.
“Why wouldn't a sporting event be a prime target (for terrorists), especially when you've got 40,000 to 50,000 people like in New York?”
Broadcaster Marty Brennaman said the attacks and the resulting need for tighter security had cast a pall over the rest of the season.
“I've got to weigh everything I say vs. what happened last week and wonder if anything I say makes a damn bit of difference.
“And that's a tough thing for me.”
Reds Stories
Q&A with Mark Curnutte
NFL moves Week 2 schedule to end
Bengals' challenge: Running on Ravens
Xavier gains top runner thanks to Bengals
Prep football page
McNicholas joins Colerain at top of polls
Ohio football computer ratings
Highlands climbs up poll
Bonds Watch: No homers
UK, Miami reschedule games
Cincinnati high school results
N.Ky. high school results
Cincinnati girls tennis poll, leaders
Ohio girls tennis poll
Ohio girls volleyball poll
• Return to Reds front page...
New security plan clamps down on bag size
