Homeland Security Show | Episode 14

YANKEES STADIUM IS CERTIFIED FOR ITS SECURITY PLAN, THE ONLY SPORTING VENUE IN THE UNITED STATES SO FAR

Sporting venues and other critical infrastructures have long been considered prime terrorist targets. Technologies to prevent and mitigate against a terrorist attack deployed in public settings such as airports and stadiums have been a priority for the Department of Homeland Security since its creation in 2002. Tonight’s show featured one of the leading lobbyists and PR specialists in Washington, David Olive, the founder and principal of Catalyst Partners. Mr. Olive specializes in connecting counterterrorism technology providers to the federal government. We spent the hour discussing a little understood law that was passed alongside the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the SAFTEY Act, The Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002.

The hook for our chat? Yankee Stadium was just granted a certification under the law for its layered anti-terrorism security plan, which means, in the event of a terrorist act, the federal government will make the Yankees, and all the technology and physical security vendors associated with the plan, immune from liability. Mr. Olive’s firm represented Yankees Baseball in that application. That’s great for corporate America, but does it make Americans safer when attending or visiting certified facilities? According to Mr. Olive, the answer is yes.

In the Homeland Security Roundup, I provided my opinion on the new TSA boarding “drink” check; the Tucson Border Patrol’s loud complaints about being told to “hide” or “run away” from an active shooter (like Fort Hood), instead of defending innocent lives; the arrest of a key figure in the 2009 Mumbai attacks and why it is significant for international relations; and a ticker tape of the 14 anti-terror arrests in Britain leading up to the Olympic Games.

Homeland Security Show