Rethinking Sport Event Security: From Risk Management to a Community Driven Approach

Abstract

Sport venue security continues to be an integral planning component of venue and event management, often relying on a best practices approach informed by principles of risk management. That approach is too narrow. The focus on limiting liability and risk related to person and property, both physical and intellectual, tends to be reactive in nature. Additionally, research detailing sport security has shown that, in some instances, the current approach can repress spectators’ and citizens’ civil liberties, and in turn, can act as a catalyst for strengthening the police state approach to safety and security thus undermining the fan experience and sense of community that sporting events are meant to generate. After reviewing some of the shortcomings associated with the current approach, the paper shifts direction focusing on a new paradigm for sports safety and security management that makes use of theories and concepts from environmental criminology. The approach seeks to preserve enjoyment and dignity both for fans attending the game and for the surrounding community while simultaneously maximizing safety and security. How the various theories work and how they apply to the game day sporting event safety and security context are addressed. Finally, the article discusses how the new paradigm will provide a clearer understanding of potential problems that are occurring or may occur in future game day contexts and how these problems can and should be addressed to ensure a more community-centered security management approach.