A man looks at flowers for the victims of the Manchester Arena attack in central Manchester, Britain May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
By Rory Carroll
(Reuters) – North America’s major sports leagues have strict safety procedures at their arenas but have urged fans attending games to be vigilant following Monday’s suicide bombing at a pop concert in Manchester, England, officials said on Tuesday.
The attack, which killed 22 people, has raised concerns in the U.S. ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, when fans flock to baseball stadiums to kick off the summer.
It also comes during the playoffs for the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Basketball Association (NBA), high-profile games that typically take place before sold-out crowds.
“We already have a very thorough and detailed security plan in place at all of our arenas to ensure the safety of our fans,” said Bill Daly, deputy commissioner of the NHL.
“Obviously, with yesterday’s events, arenas have been reminded to re-double their efforts and to maximize their vigilance”
The league requests that anyone attending a game report anything that they observe as suspicious or out of the ordinary to law enforcement, security or arena personnel, he said.
An NBA official echoed that sentiment.
“We are in communication with the appropriate authorities and taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our fans, teams and staff,” said Mike Bass, an NBA spokesman.
League officials typically do not share the specifics of their security measures for safety reasons.
The attacker in Manchester targeted Europe’s largest indoor arena, which was full to its 21,000 capacity, about the size of most NHL and NBA arenas.
Major League Baseball, which recently began its season and mostly plays its games in outdoor stadiums that are larger than NHL and NBA arenas, has a similar approach to fellow leagues.
“Fan safety and ballpark security are always our top priorities, and we will continue to do everything possible to provide a safe environment for our fans,” the league said in a statement to Reuters.
The National Football League, which has some stadiums that hold more than 80,000 people, is currently in its off-season.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
Dear Pastor Jim & Lori Bakker I just want to thank you two and your Family and staff for all you do for bring us that know what is going on, the real truth in what is happening in this evil world and the great guests you have, also thank you for putting your life on the line for us … We must be ready for anything we not only have to have food and water and other supply’s but we must have gun’s and ammo and know how to use them , we will have to defend our self’s and or others.. we that are licensed to carry a firearm can’t go just anywere because we can not take a gun in just any place ! so if something did happen we would not be there to maybe stop the bad guy , so maybe one of our best defense’s is at home and we are no good to anybody.. I think the Governor or Mayor, Sheriff or Chief of Police in what ever part of the country one lives in should deputize or some type of I.D. to us citizens that are trained and licensed and insured to carry that would except us in some way just in case we just happen to be somewhere where one of these evil nut jobs and or terrorist’s maybe and just maybe one of us could help an save some lives by stopping them ! I don’t see why they can not there is no reason I can think of… Thank You Again Love always Alan & Sandy Ferris
ps I to have had many visions in my life also, mostly in my youth I have seen things in my dreams that just scared me to death as a child and now it is all happening .I also have been thinking that something was going to happen for almost 30 years and have been trying to tell people but they just call me a nut also, but no matter we know what is going on and what is going to happen… and also some just tell me that they aren’t going to worry about it they will leave it in GOD’S hands we all know that GOD can take care of anything but he wants us to fight the evil ones not just stand and take it .. anyway that’s the way I see it and I will fight any of them.. also I tell them there are about 32 to 35 muslim military training camps in the U.S.A. and about 3,186 mosques in the U.S. also and there is 186 in Florida were I live the last time I checked, well I better go take care and we will pray for y’all thanks again AL
the world is in trouble the only way it will stop we need an old fashion visitation from God himself
Please read Babylon and the Mystery of God’s Mighty Bow. It is significant that this event happened on May 22, by a 22 year old who killed 22 people at 22:30 (BST). Thank You! There is more to this than meets the eye.