Center beefs up security
The world is coming to Cache County in the form of Russian, Swiss, Chinese and French athletes practicing at the George S. Eccles Center, said Joe Vizenor, marketing and public relations director for the the center.
With the coming of the Olympics, security is an important issue. Chief Kim Hawkes of the North Park Police Department said the need for security was always important, but more so considering previous events.
Sgt. Paul Todd said, “The Olympics are a big deal in and of themselves, but we’ve got to remember what happened on Sept. 11 and in the Atlanta Summer Games and plan security accordingly. It’s better to have too much and not need it than to not have it and need it.”
Officers from all the police forces in Cache Valley and Preston, Idaho are involved in security efforts, Hawkes said, but much of the manpower is provided by 100 to 150 volunteers.
“We couldn’t do it without the volunteers,” Hawkes said. “I can’t say enough about them.”
The volunteers are excited just to be involved.
Spencer Brundage, a senior majoring in German, is an interpreter for the Swiss team.
He said, “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Visitors entering the venue pass through metal detectors much like those at airports. Volunteers with hand-held wand detectors are also on hand for people who initiate the beep.
Hawkes said officers on duty help screen incoming viewers, but most of the work is done by the volunteers who have undergone six hours of training.
Volunteers and officers are also stationed throughout the seating areas both for security and assistance in seating. Some visitors were surprised to see officers with sub-machine rifles.
Michelle Spillette, a Hyde Park native visiting the center for a French figure skating practice session, said, “Those are big guns.”
Sgt. Wayne Lewis of the Cache County Sheriff’s Department said he has had some interesting reactions.
“People in Cache County aren’t used to seeing cops with the long guns. Many of them are mesmerized, and it’s not just the kids,” Lewis said. “A lot of the best reactions I get are from adults. In Europe and other places, these types of guns are common. The athletes have no problems with us having them.”
Todd said having such extensive security helps prevent any incidences.
“It’s a deterrent,” he said.
Despite the heavy precautions, visitors said they barely even noticed the security.
BreAnna Cox, a Hyde Park native visiting the venue with her church group, said, “I just walked right through the metal detectors, and it’s definitely worth it.”
Other visitors said it was not an inconvenience at all and they appreciated knowing they were safe.
Susan Gordon, a visitor from Hyde Park, said, “It was very smooth. Everyone was doing his or her job, and everyone was smiling. There were no cattle prods or anything.”
Hawkes said the biggest issue was people who had pocketknives or Leathermans on their key chains. But when security officers asked them to leave the items in the car, most people were very accommodating.
“Most people just do it,” Hawkes said.
“It’s a new experience for Cache Valley,” Hawkes said. “Most of the visitors have been gracious and patient, even when they are inconvenienced.”
While walking through metal detectors did not seem strange, seeing officers with sub-machine guns was a little different for many people, Jill Heffner, a volunteer from Hyde Park, said.
“It’s a little creepy, but it makes you feel safe,” Cox said.
Heffner said, “At first the security is a little shocking, but it’s understandable. I know I’m not used to seeing cops with big guns, but they have to take precautions with recent events.”
At any given time, anywhere from six to 14 officers may be stationed at the ice center, Hawkes said. The numbers depend on attendance for the various events.
The police forces involved have received no funding from the Salt Lake Organizing Committee