Speedway boosts security for record crowd

Federal agencies help by providing staff, equipment

“You’ll see a lot of uniformed personnel out there, but you’ll also not see a lot of the people that are out there.” Mike Bates, senior director of safety and security for Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Attendees at this year’s Indianapolis 500 should expect an even sharper focus on security.

Officials expect a record-breaking crowd — totaling about 350,000, or 100,000 more people than usual. With that bigger crowd comes a handful of new safety protocols and several more public safety officers. More than 50 law enforcement agencies will help Indianapolis Motor Speedway this year.

The number of public safety representatives at IMS will increase by 20%, said Mike Bates, senior director of safety and security for the speedway.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is providing equipment with the ability to scan license plates as vehicles enter IMS. It hopes to catch stolen vehicles and people wanted by police.

“We obviously won’t get every plate, but the point is we’re going to get as many license plates as we can,” Bates said.

Every person and vehicle entering IMS on Sunday should ex- pect to be stopped and checked by security, Bates said, no matter what kind of the vehicle or when it arrives.

Vehicles will be searched at random. Not all vehicles will be selected, Bates said, because of an increased number of K9 officers. Police dogs will be able to detect threats as traffic keeps moving.

As in past years, all bags and coolers will be inspected upon entry. ESG Security will conduct searches this year.

“We’re all used to yellow shirts and safety patrol,” IMS President Doug Boles said. “Those folks will still be there, but their general responsibility will be to scan your ticket and make sure you know where you’re going once you get into the facility.”

For the third year, the Indianapolis 500 has earned a rating from the Department of Homeland Security that allows the event to receive federal help to support security efforts, said Paul Dvorak, special agent in charge for the Secret Service.

“A lot of public events apply for this designation every year, and only a few actually obtain that designation,” he said, adding that only 11 events received it in 2016.

Federal agencies will provide staffing, K9 officers, cameras, communication assets, helicopters and more.

The FBI will be involved too, but the agency’s involvement couldn’t be discussed publicly.

“You’ll see a lot of uniformed personnel out there, but you’ll also not see a lot of the people that are out there,” Bates said.