Super tight security for Jamaican school championships

[rainbowgirl28]

I have a bunch of teammates from Jamaica, I will have to ask them just how crazy this meet gets!

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/h ... S_____.asp

Ultra tight security for Champs 2006
Venue lockdown procedure, ejection teams, on standby
Paul Burrowes, Observer staff reporter
Thursday, March 16, 2006



Sweeping security manned by over 500 police officers and guard personnel will feature at the March 29-April 1 VMBS/ISSA Boys' & Girls' Champs at the National Stadium.
Champs 2006, says Champs Committee chairman Dave Myrie, will serve as a "dress rehearsal" for security arrangements in Jamaica at Cricket World Cup 2007.

It's "a championship with a difference as it relates to security," explained Myrie, who is also principal of Wolmer's Boys School.

Spectator behaviour, especially in the bleachers section of the venue during Champs, has become notorious for bringing the track and field festival to a halt. On occasions, the event had to delay for up to an hour.

With 98 boys' and 92 girls' schools set to participate at the four-day meet, the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has instituted several measures to deal with the new challenge.

"We want it to be an incident-free championships," Myrie added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Linval Bailey, in outlining security plans for the event, told a press conference yesterday at the Hilton Hotel that a "Venue Operation Centre" would be established as the "nerve centre" of operations.
Other aspects of the security arrangements, which Bailey described as "simulations", involve a venue lockdown procedure; the operation of a remote search area for vendors, caterers and sponsors; accreditation systems; prohibited and restricted items, and ejection from venue.

"These simulations will only enhance the operational capacity of the individuals and organisations that will be involved directly with Cricket World Cup 2007, but is also geared towards sensitising the public as to the type of security that will unfold," he explained.

Myrie named four security companies that will patrol the facility. He said Ranger would take charge of the grandstand and front entrance; Primeguard the Stadium East and outside the bleachers section; Jamaica Central inside the bleachers, and four teams from Hawkeye to eject unruly patrons.

ISSA president Clement Radcliffe said that while the "security would provide some inconvenience", the association's six-month effort was to provide a "quality meet of fun and excitement".

"We will hold schools responsible for their behaviour at Champs," he added.

Additional security features are a "safety line" to create a buffer between schools as a means of control; the placing of teachers within the ranks of each school for control, and the use of "spotters" to identify potential troublemakers. Patrons will be allowed to carry bottled water.

Meanwhile, ticket prices have been increased this year. Season tickets will cost $2000. On Wednesday and Thursday it will be $200 for adults and $50 for children in uniform. On Friday, grandstand tickets will cost $500, while bleachers will go for $200.

On Saturday, it's $1,200 for grandstand and $600 for bleachers.

President and CEO of Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), Richard K Powell, stressed his company's involvement as a "long-term investment in national development".

In a society of "selfish people with warped minds" and "antisocial behaviour" that included killing children, Powell said Champs had assumed greater importance.

He cited sports as developing discipline, commitment, teamwork and fairplay, with a potential for "positive influence on human endeavours".