New Security Measures In Place At PNC Park
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - If you plan on heading out to PNC Park this season, there are some new security measures to keep in mind.
"Across the board, all 30 clubs have to do 100 percent metal detection at all the ball parks," Pirates Director of Security Jeff Podobnik said.
The Pirates started using hand scanners midway through in 2013 season. Team President Frank Coonelly said this is the next step toward increased safety.
"That will be the number one priority, but the walk-through metal detectors should allow us to get our fans into the ball park more efficiently," Coonelly said.
"It's not like the airport. We want you to leave your wallets. We want you to leave your spare change, your car keys in your pocket," Podobnik said.
Any fan who cannot go through a walk-through detector can request hand scanning, but there are now 44 state-of-the-art detectors at all the ballpark entry points.
"We put them at all the gates throughout the year just to test them and get the staff used to them and fans used to them, and hopefully, the more we communicate to our fans and the more we educate our staff and our fans that this process goes smooth and we get everyone into the ballpark in a timely fashion," Podobnik said.
Despite having a few days to see how other teams are implementing the metal detectors, the Pirates are still encouraging fans to arrive a little early today.
"To encourage our fans to get here early and to make sure they give themselves a little extra time to get through the lines. Really, the walk-through metal detectors are to allow the fans to get through the metal detection more efficiently and more quickly," Coonelly said. "So, we think it will actually work more quickly for the fans, but give it a little extra time for the first couple of days that we're doing it."
According to the Pirates, fans only have to remove, "any metal objects the size of a mobile phone and larger (cell phones, cameras, tablets, etc.)"
Fans do not have to remove jackets, belts, wallets, coins or keys.
And fans heeded the calls for early arrival on Home Opener Day, and were lined up and ready when the gates swung open at 11:30 a.m.
The new metal detectors were in place and ready for action, But the Pirates had heard about other ballparks having issues with the new security measure at their openers.
"We talked to them and asked them what was not going right for them and I think we learned a few things," said Coonelly.
The Pirates apparently took the lessons to heart because as fans came through the new metal detectors, signs let them know what to do.
While there was some confusion, many fans said they didn't have too many problems.
"It's a little bit of a pain, but if it makes things more secure, I guess it's a good idea," said Brian Martis, a fan.
And by the opening ceremonies, fans were in place.
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