Security increase at Alerus Center upsets concertgoers






 

 The Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D. is a popular concert and event venue. (Emily Wheeler)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Emily Wheeler/ January 30, 2016

Grand Forks, N.D. – Fans who attended country music star Jason Aldean's “We Were Here” concert on Jan. 29 were frustrated by the increased security measures taken by the Alerus Center. This was the first event at the venue in which handheld metal detectors were used. This increase also required fans to place any loose items on a table before being scanned by the detectors. All bags were searched and only bags following size requirements were allowed into the concert. Also, tobacco products were confiscated. Some concertgoers said it felt like they “were at an airport instead of a concert”.

Doors usually open an hour before the concert is set to begin. However because of the increase, doors opened an hour and a half ahead of time to allow for any delay. Unfortunately, many attendees seemed to be unaware of this earlier opening. The lines continued down the halls of the event center, into the main lobby, and onto the sidewalks outside. The delay led to some missing most of the first act, A Thousand Horses.

One concertgoer, Ranita Rodriquez, said in a Facebook post, “That was quite ridiculous if you ask me! The concert was already started when we got in and there was still a huge group in the main entrance and down the sidewalk. We even got there 45 minutes early.” She then added, “With that being said..at least our country stars were safe because of all the security wands.”

Another attendee, Katelyn Wertz, said that she had heard about the security increase the morning of the concert. “My friends and I made plans to get there as early as possible. We ended up getting there an hour early and had no issues getting in.”

In an interview with WDAZ News in Grand Forks, executive director of the Alerus Center Cheryl Swanson said “the lines moved slower than they had hoped.” Swanson also said that the Alerus Center is looking to purchasing walk-through metal detectors which would help keep things moving at a steadier pace.

These security measures are considered the ‘norm’ in many venues around the country. They are expected to continue for most, if not all, large events held at the Alerus Center in the future.

The Alerus Center is not the only venue that beefed up their security for Aldean’s “We Were Here” Tour. The Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. also implemented the new bag-size requirement. The Premier Center already uses handheld metal detectors for most of their events.

Many promoters, and even performers, are now requiring higher security measures before a venue can host a concert or event. Live Nation, the promoters of Jason Aldean’s tour, made a statement saying that, “Due to the recent attacks in Paris and in an abundance of caution we have implemented heightened security procedures globally.” It’s likely that many promoters will follow suit and require higher security for their future events.

The fear of terrorist attacks occurring at high-populated, public events has increased in the past year.