BAY STATE BIG-VENUE SECURITY PANEL FORMED
In light of mass shootings and tragic events happening across the country and world, Gov. Charlie Baker, alongside public safety leaders, is creating a task force made up of statewide security experts charged with making sure large venues like concert halls and sports stadiums are safe and prepared for any risk, officials announced.
“Public safety will always be our top priority and forming this task force will inform future decisions to enhance security while maintaining everyone’s ability to enjoy a game, concert or conference,” Baker announced.
The task force is responsible for identifying the safety and security risks facing large venues, recommending standards for planning, training, intelligence-gathering and sharing, conducting a review of best practices around the world for public-private partnerships in ensuring large venue security and drafting any recommended changes to statutes and regulations to make sure best practices are put in place in Massachusetts. The task force has until April 30, 2019, to submit the strategic plan to Baker’s office.
The task force will be made up of 16 members, including Massachusetts State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin, Worcester Chief Steve Sargent, Amherst fire Chief Tim O. Nelson, Boston police Commissioner William Gross, UMass Lowell police Lt. Melissa Mullen, Six Flags’ Jason Freeman and Peter Nesbit, vice president of ballpark operations for the Boston Red Sox.
“I think the things we should all keep in mind and why a task force like this makes so much sense is it is sometimes hard for all of us to anticipate the imagination of people who look to do terrible things. Think about the Marathon Bombing. Think about the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,” Baker said at a press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. “Who knows whether or not any of those things could have been prevented but the simple truth is if you want to be successful at almost anything especially in an area where there is constant change and constant development of new techniques and new ideas, the best way to be successful is to put some of the best minds together.”
‘The best way to be successful is to put some of the best minds together.’ — GOV. CHARLIE BAKER
“I dont believe there has been anything like this anywhere in the country,” said Robert Kraft, CEO of The Kraft Group. “We can’t believe how some people can scheme to try to bring harm to others.”
The effort is aimed at preventing and reducing any risks, attacks or tragedies like the October 2017 mass shooting of a crowd at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip from happening at large venues across Massachusetts.
“Looking at what happened in Las Vegas, we know the disasters and human lives lost that can happen so with this task force we can go take what we want, put it together, work together and prevent an event like what happened in Las Vegas,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett.