Crowd Safety and Survival

ALSO BY LARRY B. PERKINS

Jake the Cowhand

Jasper Rabbit

Crowd Management; In the Eye of the

Storm

Day of Event Cancellation Procedures

Crowd Safety Tips ®

Staying Cool in Hot Situations (2005)

Mirror, Mirror: Reflections of the Soul,

Spirit, and Will (2005)

Crowd Safety and Survival Practical Event and Public Gathering Safety Tips

Larry B. Perkins, CPP, CMP

Lulu Press, Inc Morrisville, North Carolina By ManagingCrowds.com and Band of Writers Coalition

vi

5/6/2005 8:49 PM

CROWD SAFETY AND SURVIVAL PRACTICAL EVENT AND PUBLIC GATHERING SAFETY TIPS Crowd Safety and Survival: Practical Event and Public Gathering Safety Tips, Published By Lulu Press, Inc Copyright © 2004 by Larry B. Perkins Library of Congress Control Number: 2004097634 ISBN 1-4116-1935-8 Cover Design by Larry B. Perkins MyBook, MB, and Band of Writers are trademarks of Band of Writers Coalition Publishers. “A three in One Project” and the “PERC System, Crowd Safety Tips,” “Staying Cool in Hot Situations,” and “Day of Event Cancellation Procedures” are protected by copyright ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher/author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For Information: Band of Writers Coalition, 510 Berlin Way, Suite 1, Morrisville, NC 27560 or visit www.bandofwriters.com. Also, visit www.lulu.com/content/77654

Printed in the United Sates of America

First Edition (V6)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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WARNING

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WARNING When life is imperiled or a dire situation is at hand, safe

alternatives may not exist. To deal with the worst case

scenarios presented in this book, we highly recommend-

insist, that the best course of action is to consult a

professionally trained expert.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of

the contents, suggestions, recommendations, and

information contained herein, we are not responsible and

assume no liability for any damages caused or alleged to be

caused, directly or indirectly, incidentally or consequentially,

to any person, firm, or third party using the information

contained in this book. The information is provided without

warranty.

WARNING

LARRY B. PERKINS

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The author is not attempting to provide legal, medical, or

other professional services or advice in this book. The

techniques, illustrations, and data contained herein are

strictly informational. It is strongly recommended that legal,

medical, and other expert assistance—and/or the services of

a competent professional—be sought prior to engaging in

any of the acts, or circumstances, referred to within this

book. Further, some facilities prohibit certain objects, foods,

materials, and personal items—such as cameras, weaponry,

certain types of shoes, cell phones, sticks, video and audio

recording devices, backpacks, bags, containers, plastic,

chains, noise makers, and beverages.

xi

DEDICATION

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DEDICATION So often, we don’t acknowledge those in our lives who are

important to us. It’s sometimes taken for granted. I would

like to dedicate this book to my family, the Williams and

Perkins families. It was the union of these two families that

brought me into this world, and it’s up to me to carry on a

tradition of family and honor. Please allow me this

opportunity to express my love to my brothers and sisters—

Garland, Patricia, James Jr., Thomas, Ronald, Robert,

Denise; my sons and daughters—Larry Jr., Lamont,

LaMond, Nicol, Jonathan, Christina, and Justin; my mother

Mattie and stepfather James Lacks; my aunts—Mary and

Marie Williams; my uncles—Clarkie, Sweet, Love,

Cleveland, and Archie; my niece Arnett; Toni Perkins for

always believing in me and for being a great mom; to

Marnelle for her dedication to our children and family; to

my grandfather, Charlie Williams; my father, Roy Perkins;

DEDICATION

LARRY B. PERKINS

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my mentor, Lee Morrow, Ana (Tita) Oronoz and so many

others who have helped shape my life—thanks for your

encouragement, guidance, support, and leadership.

xv

Introduction 21 Chapter ONE 33 The Beginning and Modern Lessons A Roman Historical Perspective

Augustus Caesar City Magistrates Ancient Rome – Amphitheater Circus Rituals Gambling Architecture Safety Controls Lanistae (Contractors) Comfort - Spectators and Gladiators Architecture - Seating and Safety Feature /Crowd

Maintenance Number of Seats Access Control - Architecture - Crowd Control

Chapter TWO 47 Fan/Player Violence Giants Stadium Snowball Incident and The Palace Arena Player/Fan violence

Society Giants Stadium - Unpredictability of weather Snowballs (Ice-balls)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LARRY B. PERKINS

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Fan/Player Violence Continued

What Went Wrong? A Symbol of Frustration and Danger Infecting Fans

Today Aftermath Ever Changing Society Breaking the Invisible Line Fan Perspective Player Perspective History of Fan and Player Violence

Chapter THREE 75 Hot Spots, Physical Barriers, and Limitations A Perspective and Focus

When and where do most problems occur? What situations can cause the biggest risk of injury

or death? What factors can cause over crowding? What can cause a crowd to get out of control? What impact does energy and pressure have on

crowds? How do sound and illumination increase a fan’s risk

of injury or death? What factors affect a person’s ability to get

themselves out of a “crowd crush” situation? How long does it take to become asphyxiated / lose

consciousness? How does weather create problems? How can different types of surfaces affect crowd

control? How can direction and elevation affect crowd flow? Escalator Safety and Procedures Escalator Equipment and Procedures.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

xvii

Chapter FOUR 93 Preparation Before the Event

Before leaving home Clothing and Accessories Prohibited Items

Awareness and Avoidable Actions Venue Awareness Surging Crowds Sporting Events

Chapter FIVE 109 Moshing and Mosh Pits

Moshing Mosh Pits Body Surfing Mosh Pit Diagram The Facility Manager Death and Injury Rates What to do with young children? The hazards of festival seating? What to do if hurt?

Chapter SIX 127 Types of Seating

Reserved Seating General Admission Seating Festival/Mosh Pit Seating Lawn Seating Accessible Seating (ADA)

Chapter SEVEN 135 Shaping Crowd Behavior

Time (Early/late arrivals/escaping) Space (Crowd density/facility design) Energy (Forces within crowds) Information (Informed decisions)

LARRY B. PERKINS

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Chapter EIGHT 143 Standards of Behavior

Factors that influence crowd behavior o Guests Makeup o Public Setting o Group Involvement o One-On-One Communication Difficulty o Charged Up Atmosphere o Uninhibited Customers o No Standard of Behavior

Conflict of Values Alcohol consumption

Chapter NINE 151 Responsible Consumption of Alcohol

Designated Driver Student Behavior and Tailgate Safety Intoxication Public Awareness Additional Alcohol Management Policies

Chapter TEN 163 Venue Rules and Regulations

Items that may not be brought into a facility Ticket Scalping Merchandise Proper behavior Assigned seat Aisle safety Entering the venue Retaining ticket stubs Exit/re-entry polices Smoking regulations Loitering and soliciting Trespassing on the premises Parking lots and roadways Open fires (Tailgating)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Venue Rules and Regulations Continued

Damaging of shrubs or plants and defacement of the facilities

Ticket Back Language (The fine print) Additional rules and regulations

Chapter ELEVEN 175 PERC System

Personal Event Responsibilities Checklist o TAKE o STILL

Chapter TWELVE 185 Types of Concert Protocols

Classical Music Pop Rapp Rock and Roll Rhythm and Blues Heavy Metal Country and Western

Chapter THIRTEEN 193 Case Study Chapter FOUTEEN 203 Incident Types and Statistics Chapter FIFTEEN 211 Crowd Disasters (A 30-year review)

References & Suggested Reading 225

LARRY B. PERKINS

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Index 231 Author’s Reflections 241

Acknowledgements 243

About the Author 245

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INTRODUCTION

23

CROWD SAFETY AND SURVIVAL: PRACTICAL EVENT AND PUBLIC GATHERING SAFETY TIPS Do you feel safe in crowds? Are you confident that your

loved ones know how to protect themselves in a crowd?

Each day, we hear news accounts of injuries and deaths

where people have been involved in some sort of crowd-

related incident. Our first reaction may invoke an image of

someone attending a sporting event or musical performance.

However, the truth of the matter is that crowd-related

incidents can happen at any time and any place. They can

happen at a house party, on a balcony, at a wedding,

standing in line for a special pre-holiday sale, or waiting on a

train platform.

INTRODUCTION

LARRY B. PERKINS

24

Crowding, stampeding, trampling, and suffocation, with no

avenue of escape, is the number one cause of multiple

injuries and deaths, by human hands, in crowds.

On December 18 2001 A free Christmas Gift Distribution Created a Crowd Crush. Four people died, including three children, when a poorly planned and managed government sponsored Christmas gift giveaway program for children went awry in Aracaju… people showed up at a public building for the holiday event…people waiting to receive their free gifts were caught in a craze when one of the main gates opened and triggered a surge and crush, according to local news reports…

Consider a person’s chest cavity depressed in incidents such

as this, unable to take air into his/her lungs. This is sure to

cause that person to lose consciousness if not abated

quickly, usually in a period some a few seconds to

approximately three minutes. Once a person loses

consciousness, irreversible brain damage may occur due to

the brain’s starvation of air.

Crowds can increase or decrease from a few people to

thousands in a matter of minutes. Whether during ingress,

egress, or in celebration or protest, it is within this period

that the greatest potential for serious problems arises.

Often, young people attending events and other gatherings

are unaware of the danger that lurks within crowds. Their

INTRODUCTION

25

excitement and attention is usually focused on the event and

other activities. They rarely think about what to do, where

to go, or how to protect themselves in crowds.

However, we hear more commonly about sports and

entertainment incidents, which was the case during two

separate events in Africa on Sunday, October 10, 2004,

where six people lost their lives during soccer matches. Two

deaths occurred following chaos in Monrovia, Liberia, when

the Lone Stars were defeated 3–0 by Senegal. Fans did not

accept the defeat and started throwing stones onto the

field—pitch—after Senegal scored their third goal. After the

game, the visitors and the referee had to be taken away from

the stadium under the protection of United Nations troops

and their armored personnel carriers. The angry spectators

also smashed the cars of Liberian players and threatened

their families.

In Togo, four people were crushed to death following a

stampede after Togo's 2006 World Cup qualifier in Lome

against Mali on Sunday, October 10, 2004. The mad dash

happened as fans panicked when lights went off just

minutes after the end of the game. These were just two such

cases out of many senseless tragedies, which occurred in

some African stadiums over that weekend.

LARRY B. PERKINS

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It is never pleasant to read about death and injury. Africa

has had its share in recent years, and we here in the US have

had our share of crowd incidents as well.

WHY AND HOW DO THEY OCCUR?

Today, many facilities house more people at one time than

live in the average town. Therefore, facilities hosting these

gatherings face the same challenges as these average towns,

only with a few more challenges thrown in.

Unlike the family atmosphere in towns, patrons generally do

not have the same degree of allegiance to the facility or its

employees as they have to their own communities. This

situation can be exacerbated if the outcome of an event is

perceived to have been unfair or if the goal or objective has

not been fulfilled according to the traditions or beliefs of the

spectators.

Although I’m not a psychologist, I offer this insight from

practical experience, observations, study, and my passion to

understand crowds and their behavior. Sometimes, people

do not think about their reactions to situations, whether

pleasant or adverse. But one thing is for certain: Where

there is an “action,” there is always a “reaction.” People

often celebrate when something significant has been

achieved or retaliate when their dreams and ideals have been

INTRODUCTION

27

shattered. The emotions we feel can produce enormous

energy and excitement within us. Human energy can be a

powerful force, which must be released in some fashion. We

cannot hold this energy and/or emotion (joy, excitement,

sadness, anger, despair) inside. We must do something to

release it. Our backgrounds, beliefs, and values determine

exactly what form of release we choose. This is what makes

crowd management so fascinating and challenging. Picture

60,000 individuals—all having their own values, beliefs, and

backgrounds—contained in a single building at the same

time. What a feat to anticipate and maintain stability and

safety!

Causes of riots, disturbances, emotional outbursts, and

fighting can be contributed to “What’s at stake.” Ask

yourself, “Why aren’t there fights, riots, or crowd crushes at

Disneyland, Six Flags, or some other getaway destinations?”

One could say that these events have “nothing at stake.”

Such events draw people who are generally off work, on

vacation, and thus are not in a hurry. They are not there to

win a game, a match, a contest, or to celebrate a particular

function. They’re there for the sole purpose of being

entertained, to relax and experience the pleasantness of the

journey.

LARRY B. PERKINS

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On the other hand, a loyal, staunch supporter rooting for

his/her alma mater to win the national championship may

have a “ A lot at stake.” If their team wins, then “they win,”

and thus they gain bragging rights for the victory. Sporting

victories give supporters a sense of power and the right to

claim their badge of honor. A team loss may mean that they

will have to face their children, parents, colleagues, or

friends with whom they have been bragging about their

school, or returning to their local hair salon where lively

discussions took place a week earlier about their team

winning the game. They now must hang their heads in

shame. Fans love to take on the identity of their favorite

team. They cheer the victories and resist the losses.

Friendly rivals can become bitter enemies as a matter of

tradition. It all depends on how closely fans relate to the

identity of the team (or a particular athlete). The team’s

victory becomes their victory, and the team’s loss becomes

their defeat.

This internalized defeat and humiliation can manifest itself

into anger. Anger, as with other emotions, is a form of

energy and needs to be released. However, it is much more

volatile than the celebratory energy. It builds within a

person much faster and carries with it a greater urgency for

release. This is why anger is often unleashed with such an

explosive power. It is our control, or lack of control, over

INTRODUCTION

29

this release that may be the problem. Again, we all handle

our emotions/energy differently; some people shout, some

laugh, some exercise, some sing, some take it out on others,

some fight, and some people cry to rid themselves of this

negative emotion.

On Friday, November 19, 2004, in Detroit, at the Palace of

Auburn Hills, we witnessed one of the worst crowd

incidents in US history during the Indiana Pacers-Detroit

Piston’s NBA basketball game. Anger was at the heart and

soul of this incident. Players and fans alike could not contain

their anger toward one another when a fan threw a cup of

beer on Pacers’ Ron Artest, lying on the scores table after a

brief confrontational episode with Detroit’s Ben Wallace.

This led to an explosion of violence between players and

fans when Artest charged into the stands to find and deal

with the person who struck him with the cup of beer.

In today’s society, the professional athlete and the fans who

watch them, have a growing dislike for each other. We live

in an age of anger. In part, fans resent the amount of money

these young, predominantly black players make; this

resentment contributes to this anger. Another contributing

factor is disconnection of classes—players no longer live in

the same community as the fan “other than the status of a

LARRY B. PERKINS

30

celebrity,”1 and thus they can no longer identify with them.

“I have witnessed the change,” says social critic Harry

Edwards, a San Francisco 49ers consultant and a sociologist

at the University of California. In the past, before players

earned the salaries they do today, they often took second

jobs in the off-season to supplement their income. In effect,

they were the average Joe.

We must also remember that alcohol and drugs dull our

senses along with our ability to think clearly and rationalize.

We may drive 70 miles per hour when we would ordinarily

drive 55. Perhaps we find ourselves on the dance floor

wailing away when normally our feet would be glued to the

floor and only the power of a hurricane could get us out

there without this aid. In a similar fashion, people under the

influence at a large gathering may not react with the same

level head as at other times. They may start a negative

reaction, which affects the entire crowd. In 1982—Cali,

Columbia—24 died and 250 were injured in a stampede

caused by a drunken fan.

There are many contributing factors to crowd-related

injuries. Crowd management professionals are trained to

identify, anticipate, and control many of these variables.

1 George Karl, former NBA coach – By Erik Brady, USA Today November 22, 2004.

INTRODUCTION

31

They are trained to use their physical space and property to

help manage crowd movement. They are trained on proper

interaction and defusing of volatile situations. But it is

difficult to train anyone to read people’s minds, or to know

what values, beliefs, or backgrounds each patron brings with

them into an event. We can anticipate and control time,

space, energy, and information—but we cannot control how

each person reacts on an emotional level to all of the stimuli

present at an event. This is why it is so important for you

to understand how to protect yourself and your loved ones

when in a large crowd.

Crowd safety is something we all must be continually aware

of whenever we are around other people and structures.

This book will teach you how to protect yourself in crowds.

You will learn:

What to do if you are caught in an out-of-control

crowd.

The danger signals of crowds.

Where you should position yourself within a crowd.

How to escape if you should find yourself down (on

the ground) in a crowd.

What to do before you leave home.

How to gauge the effectiveness of security.

LARRY B. PERKINS

32

How much time you have to escape a dangerous

situation.

How to protect your chest cavity if caught against a

railing and other barriers.

About the different types of surfaces and what they

mean.

About the mob mentality.

The life you save may be your own, the life of a loved one,

or the life of a stranger in need.

33

CHAPTER ONE THE BEGINNING &

MODERN LESSONS

35

THE BEGINNING AND MODERN LESSONS

rowd Management has been a concern as far back as

the first Olympic Games in Greece and the Roman

Gladiator and Wild Beast events during the height of the

Roman Empire.

In modern times, it has been a concern for facilities since

the 1960s when events began drawing large, active crowds in

an era of hippies and free love, with such concerts as

Woodstock in Woodstock, New York and the Rolling

Stones Concert in Altamont, California. Since then, public

assembly professionals have spent a great deal of time

educating venue managers on how to protect their

customers when they attend events at their facilities.

Practitioners have done this through crowd management

and life safety courses taught at industry schools,

C

CHAPTER ONE

LARRY B. PERKINS

36

workshops, and conferences. Until now, there have been

limited educational suggestions provided to the general

public. The “Crowd Safety and Survival-Practical Event and

Public Gathering Safety Tips” is one of the first of its kind

to help educate the public on what they can do to protect

themselves from the hazards that can and do occur while in

crowds and public gatherings.

Here are just a few examples of how tragedies can strike

participants and spectators in a crowd setting at concerts.

Later in the book, we will examine Fan and Player violence

at sporting events:

On the evening of December 3, 1979, in front of

Cincinnati Riverfront Coliseum and amid a compacted

crowd of thousands of anxious rock concert fans,

eleven people died and a nearly equivalent number were

injured. These people were crushed and trampled to

death as the crowd surged forward against the gates.

On December 27, 1992, 9 people were trampled to

death in a stairwell with no avenue of escape as a crowd

surged forward during a celebrity basketball game at

City College of New York.

In Salt Lake City, Utah, 3 people died when compressed

against the barricades at an AC/DC concert.


37

On June 30, 2000, in Demark, 8 people were killed

while attending a Pearl Jam concert. It had rained much

of the day before. The combination of the pressure and

the mud caused fans to become trapped against the

stage barricades.

On April 12, 1989, 95 soccer fans perished due to

asphyxiation when a large crowd of 10,000 fans tried to

enter Sheffield Stadium in Hillsborough, England

through seven turnstiles only thirty minutes before

kickoff.

Other deaths occurred at the annual event called The

Big Day Out (BDO), which traveled around the country

featuring major international and Australian artists. This

year the major act was Limp Bizkit (LB). The event had

two stages and approximately 40,000 people were in

attendance. Jessica (a sixteen-year-old) was pulled from

the mosh pit after suffering a heart attack. She was

revived backstage at the concert and was transported to

the hospital. She remained in critical condition for

several days and then died.

LB had asked for a t-barricade to be set up at this

concert. The organizers felt that this was not

appropriate. After this show, LB left the tour. BDO had

been operating for approximately 10 years without any

major security issues.

LARRY B. PERKINS

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A ROMAN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Rome looked for ways to entertain its citizens like the

Greeks. However, they didn’t pattern their games after the

Greeks. They thought that the Greek games were too tame

and colorless, and they devised news ones, along with shows

(circus). In 264 BC, the first Gladiatorial Games were held

in Rome. Forbade Gladiatorial Munera shows, wild beast

games, as they were known in the west, and Constantine

shows as they were known in the east, were held until 523

AD. The Elliphtal Coliseum was built in Central Italy

around 100 BC, which became the model for all arenas and

amphitheaters to come. The Coliseum, as it became known,

was dedicated by Titus in 80 AD.

Shows were controlled under the Roman Empire. Only

magistrates (praetors & quaestors) could hold these events

in Rome itself. Elsewhere, those wishing to hold contests

had to get official permission. These events were first

formed as part of the funeral rites. They were very

expensive, and only the rich could afford to host them.

The upper classes felt Greeks were degenerates to play

games in the nude. This was a belief held by the poor

Romans as well. Both classes wanted Muneras.


39

Rulers and politicians scheduled Muneras (shows) in the

amphitheater with gladiators and wild beasts. The rulers

wanted to preserve their own power and wanted to add

excitement and luxury to the events. Politicians put on

events to win votes.

Rival clubs (racing clubs) were the source of fan adoration

and violence. Rival racing clubs were known by their colors.

They were paired as Blues and Reds, and Whites and

Greens. Cheerleaders shouted joyous cries to prompt their

team toward greater effort. This caused some violence

between spectators, who adored their charioteer. They liked

their agility, physical bravery, coolness under fire, bodily

training, exploits (even negative public behavior), their large

sums of money, their club and gifts from the emperor, and

of course, the freedom given to many successful racers.

AUGUSTUS CAESAR

Augustus Caesar was the first of the emperors to use

Muneras to consolidate his power. There was no limit to the

types of shows he sponsored, including luxurious events. He

gave 3 Muneras in his name and 5 Muneras in the name of

sons/grandson.

CITY MAGISTRATES…next page

LARRY B. PERKINS

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City Magistrates outside the city could only give 1 Munera

annually. Inside the city, they could give 2 Muneras each

year with just 120 gladiators.

ANCIENT ROME – AMPHITHEATER

In Rome, some of the first events held were shows called

“Munera,” put on at the first amphitheater (Flavion). These

were not public games but shows performed by ex-

Gladiatorial Fighters. Only those gladiators who had many

victories were allowed to fight in the amphitheater. This

was considered a privilege and an honor. They used wooden

swords for these performances, which ran from dawn to

dusk.

The type of Muneras hosted in amphitheater were shows

such as “Hoplomachia—Gladiatorial Combat.” Some shows

used mock battle weapons or padded real weapons. The

objective of the real game was to defeat and kill the

opponent. Animal Contests were another type of show.

Different animals were used to fight each other; big

elephants were often pitted against a bull. Unarmed men

and women were thrown to starving beasts, like the

Christians. People condemned to die were often used in

these games. The most enjoyable games were those that

allowed men to be armed (bestiarii) to fight. All fights were

to the death.


41

The Romans also liked to play naval games and invented a

game called “Naumachia—naval battle.” This was a game

where gladiators fought on water. To train, they flooded an

area and learned how to fight in water.

CIRCUS Circuses were chariot races. Drivers/fighters were required

by Augustus Caesar to wear Togas. During the races,

spectators were prohibited from eating and drinking. The

public could petition the emperor if they wanted to protest a

victory and/or decision.

RITUALS

The night before the gladiators fought, a big banquet was

hosted to honor the gladiators. The public was invited to

this feast. On the day of the fight, a parade was held. The

gladiators traveled along the streets in carriages from their

barracks to the coliseum. Once inside, they would march

around the coliseum in military dress. As images of dead

Emperors were carried past the crowd, as the living

Emperor sat on a couch, flanked by his wife and children.

Each gladiator was serviced by a valet who accompanied

him or her with their weapons. Gladiators saluted Emperors

before fighting. Their armor was examined to weed out

blunt swords. This was followed by the selection of

gladiators. Lots were drawn to pair off gladiators. The signal

LARRY B. PERKINS

42

was given by the Emperor to begin their fight. This, too,

was a fight to the death.

GAMBLING

Gambling seems to go back to the beginning of time and

here was no exception. Spectators even bet on the type of

weapons given to the two gladiators who were dueling. It

was not the man but the weapon that would ensure the

victory. Instructors were on hand to ensure that the

gladiators fought and didn’t throw the fight. They were to

kill their opponent (unless it was a mock battle). Often the

instructor ordered Torarii to incite the killing instinct in the

men by yelling “slay,” “strike,” and/or “whip him until his

blood flows.”

If a fight was a draw, the next pair of gladiators was called in

to begin dueling. A gladiator on the ground and not wishing

to fight on raised his left arm. This was a signal that he

wanted his life spared. The Victor allowed Caesar to make

the choice of whether or not the fallen gladiator’s life should

be spared. Caesar consulted the spectators in the stands to

determine the fate of the fallen gladiator. He was allowed to

live if the crowd waved handkerchiefs and raised thumbs up.

He would die if the crowd turned their thumbs down.


43

“Spoils” were given to the winner in the form of silver

dishes laden with gold pieces and costly gifts. These were

given on the spot.

ARCHITECTURE SAFETY CONTROLS

The structure was designed to keep the animals away from

the spectators. Animals were housed underground in cages

made of masonry (stone/brickwork). A system of

ramps/hoists was used to either bring the animals up or

drive the animals into the arena.

LANISTAE

Contractors would maintain troupes of gladiators at their

own expense. They maintained training schools and set

strict discipline standards. Many gladiators were slaves,

starving common people, ruined sons from good homes

(runaways), etc. Lanistae made no distinction between

them.

In Rome, the Procurators of the Princeps did the job of the

Lanistae. They got gladiators, wild animals, men who were

condemned to die, and prisoners of war.

COMFORT - SPECTATORS AND GLADIATORS In order to make the coliseum comfortable, strips of a giant

awning were fixed to three projecting corbels above each of

LARRY B. PERKINS

44

the windows on the fourth story of the coliseum. This

provided shade from the strong sun for the crowd and

gladiators. It also allowed the spectators to sit all day

watching the gladiators fight.

ARCHITECTURE - SEATING AND SAFETY FEATURE/CROWD MAINTENANCE

The first level of seating was on the Terrace or Podium.

These were built about 4 meters above the arena floor and

had a bronze balustrade. The privileged sat in marble seats

in this area. The next seating section was one up from

terrace section for the “privileged.” Women were seated

below the terrace/podium.

Ordinary people were separated from the wealthy people in

the terrace/podium area by circular, horizontal corridors.

The lower two tiers where the ordinary people sat were

separated from each other by the same circular, horizontal

corridors. The top gallery in the upper portion of the

coliseum was where the poor people sat.

NUMBER OF SEATS

The Coliseum seated 45,000 and had standing room space

for an additional 5,000 patrons. It was elliptical in shape and

had great sightlines. The best seats were facing the Emperor

and royal family and their box on the north side of the


45

coliseum. The best seats on the south sides faced Prefectus,

Urbi, and the Magistrates.

ACCESS CONTROL - ARCHITECTURE - CROWD CONTROL

Sloping corridors, which allowed crowds/spectators to enter

and exit the seating area, were called “Vomitoria.” This

term is still used today. The facility had 80 entrance arches

that adorned it. Four of these entrances near the extremities

were not numbered and were off limits to the public. Other

arches were numbered I to LXXVI. Patrons would receive

numbered entrance tokens that corresponded with the arch

nearest their seating section. To gain entry to the facility,

people had to go to the correct zone and seating section.

Foyers at each entrance provided access to staircases leading

to the vomitories where patrons could go for shade and to

walk around.

47

CHAPTER TWOFAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

49

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE GIANTS STADIUM SNOWBALL INCIDENT (SAT., DECEMBER 23, 1995 AND THE PALACE ARENA PLAYER/FAN VIOLENCE (FRI., NOVEMBER 19, 2004) The sports and entertainment industry is changing faster

now than at any point in history. These changes impact

both facility managers and spectators alike. New

technologies are being developed that will change and

enhance our experiences at arenas and stadiums beyond our

wildest dreams. Some of the recent developments include

electronic kiosks at malls and supermarkets that allow

patrons to purchase tickets and seats equipped with mini

computers. Soon, patrons will be able to view and

customize instant replays; explore the stats of their favorite

teams; and stay in touch with their office, friends, and family

while at the event. In short, facilities are becoming

destination locations. In this new age of the service

CHAPTER TWO

LARRY B. PERKINS

50

economy, the amenities and services now offered at facilities

are equal to those of a small town—multiple restaurants,

shoeshine stands, game rooms, playrooms, cooking lessons,

meeting rooms, birthday cakes, celebrations and other

themed functions, wedding announcements, “enter to win”

contests, prizes, promotional give-a-ways, interactive games,

business centers, hotel shuttles, and concierge services.

SOCIETY Today’s facility manager must be aware of the ever-changing

society around him/her in order to set policy and train staff

accordingly. Today, we are witnessing the birth of a new

breed of sports fan—one who no longer idolizes the athlete

or the hometown boy/girl who once dreamed of making it

big, becoming a star, and supporting their hometown or

country. Today’s fan no longer idolizes the athlete that made

their dreams come true through hard work, encouragement,

and support but remained humbled. It used to be that when

the athlete signed with a team, they were there for life—Lou

Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, John Elway,

Joe Theismann, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Bobby Orr. Today,

athletes are much more transient, and the professional

sports franchises are in a constant flux between players. This

lack of stability (or constancy) within the teams has added to

fan frustration. Additionally, there is a new mix within the

fan base of each team. Given the transient nature of our

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

51

society, fans move as frequently as their favorite player does.

On any given night, chances are you’ll find hometown fans

whose old team is playing their new one. These social

changes create a new set of challenges, and facility managers

must be prepared to deal with. Among other challenges, this

trend brings with it an increase in violence towards players

and coaches. The snowball incident at Giants Stadium and

the NBA Pacers and Pistons may be only the beginning.

GIANTS STADIUM - UNPREDICTABILITY OF WEATHER

The combination of the unpredictability of the weather and

limited time and resources needed to respond to last minute

changes in the weather can often be an explosive

combination for facility managers. For example, a sudden

downpour can send thousands of fans rushing onto the

concourse to escape the rain. Gusts of wind can turn trash

and refuse into high-powered projectiles. For years,

stadiums of the National Football League (NFL), located in

cities that frequently got heavy accumulations of snow, such

as Green Bay and Buffalo, had to deal with snowballs. It

was nearly impossible to keep these facilities free of snow.

However, because of their experience in dealing with this

problem (or maybe it was just luck), they never had to deal

with what happened in Giants Stadium on December 23,

1995.

LARRY B. PERKINS

52

As the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers were

preparing for a game that meant nothing for one team and

everything to the other, Mother Nature was dumping almost

a foot of snow over most of the Mid-Atlantic States. Snow

fell heavily from late Tuesday, December 19, into the early

morning hours of Wednesday, December 20. By the time

the skies cleared, only two days remained before the Giants

and Chargers were set to meet. Snow removal became the

top priority for the Meadowlands staff. With over 30,000

parking spaces and miles of roads that serve the three

facilities on the complex, it became apparent that time and

snow removal resources were greatly inadequate. As for the

interior sections of the Stadium, officials decided that

because of time and personnel limitations, only the stairs,

aisles, and seat surfaces would be cleared. There were

several factors that helped lead the management to that

decision:

First, as has already been alluded to, time was extremely

limited, and human resources were already being stretched

to their limits. Even if they had a week to remove the snow,

it would have meant working approximately 12 hours a day

with a staff of 500 people to clear the entire interior of

Giants Stadium.

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

53

Secondly, the lack of specialized equipment necessary to

remove the snow was an issue. The (NFL) Green Bay

Packers and Buffalo Bills were accustomed to having to

remove snow from their facilities on a regular basis. They

used long chutes to transport the snow from the seating area

to the field surface where it could easily be loaded into

trucks and taken away. Even with these chutes, several days

and a couple hundred extra workers would be required to

complete the task. It’s also interesting to note that in the

cities where it often snowed, not only before but also during

games, there had never been an outbreak of widespread

snow related problems prior to the incident at the Giants

Stadium.

The last factor that influenced the snow removal decision

was the usual and anticipated makeup of Giants’ fans. On

game days, the crowd was almost entirely made up of season

ticket holders (86,000). Giants’ season ticket holders had

long been regarded and made up of white collar, suburban

fans, which were for the most part even-tempered and

fiercely loyal to the team and the game. The melee that

ensued during this event had never happened before, nor

was it expected or anticipated to be part of this crowd’s

behavior.

LARRY B. PERKINS

54

Before we go further, let’s take a closer look at just what did

ensue that Saturday. It was the last weekend of the season.

Many teams were either playing for pride, such as the

Giants, or needing a win to ensure or bolster their playoff

chance, as was the case with the Chargers. The Giants had

no chance of making the playoffs. They had been eliminated

from playoff contention several weeks earlier. Many long

time season ticket holders had decided to remain at home.

This had a great effect on the makeup and behavior of the

crowd that attended the game.

On this day (December 23, 1995), almost a foot of fresh

snow from a storm earlier in the week served as ammunition

for the largest snowball fight ever experienced in major

league sports. Thousands of fans unleashed their assault

upon unsuspecting players, coaches, team personnel, and

media representatives. The New York Giants and New

Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) vowed to

seek out those involved and charge them to the fullest

extent the law allowed.

SNOWBALLS

It all started with a few fans participating in an exchange of

snowballs on the outside spirals during halftime. During the

second half, Giants Stadium staff observed, reported, and

ejected numerous spectators who were throwing snowballs

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

55

at each other. Shortly after that, Dave Brown, the Giants’

quarterback, threw a pass that was intercepted and returned

for a Charger touchdown. That single play provided the

impetus for the fan’s assault on the unsuspecting and

defenseless individuals on the field.

Throughout the rest of the game, the players, coaches, and

members of the media became targets of thousands of

snowballs hurled from the stands. Early in the second half,

an "ice ball" struck the Chargers’ equipment manager, Sid

Brooks, as he stood on the sideline, temporarily leaving him

unconscious. This incident was broadcast over and over

again on newscasts all over the country. Twice during the

second half, the referees stopped the game when the

situation became too dangerous to continue. However,

league officials decided to resume the game in both

instances due to the playoff implications it held.

Despite this incident with the Charges’ equipment manager,

and the warning of forfeiting the game, the dangerous

conditions continued through the remainder of the game.

Stadium staff did their best to curtail the activity, but the

mob mindset of the crowd could not be reversed. Security

was able to identify, eject, and arrest those guilty of

participating in the melee. By the end of the game, 175

patrons had been ejected, and 15 were arrested.

LARRY B. PERKINS

56

WHAT WENT WRONG?

What went wrong and why did the melee happen? Decisions

made were based on the usual characteristics of the Giants’

faithful fans, with the assumption that the behavior that

ensued was not likely. However, the normal, even-tempered

fans did not attend the game. The crowd that showed up

was vastly different from the usual crowd. Many season

ticket holders had given their tickets away to friends or sold

them to strangers. In fact, of the 175 patrons ejected, only

one was the real owner of season tickets. Because those who

attended the game were not fans with pride in the team or

loyalty to the game, it was much easier for them to

participate in the melee.

Those ejected included a teacher, a retired police chief, a

stockbroker, and a lawyer.

Fans have long harassed players who did not live up to their

expectations. The actions of fans during this incident may

also have spawned a new breed of sports fan by breaking

that invisible barrier between the athlete and fan. They may

have been unleashing their frustrations of everyday life onto

the athlete no longer idolized and adored. The act of Giants’

fans engaged in an all out assault on the players and coaches

on the field was unthinkable and may have opened the

window for similar events to follow.

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

57

A SYMBOL OF FRUSTRATION AND DANGER INFECTING

FANS TODAY The photo of a fan being ejected from the stadium for

throwing snowballs was depicted in newspapers across the

nation. It was reported that he symbolized the frustration

and danger infecting fans today.

The Sports Authority had, over the years, for the most part,

avoided many major outbreaks of spectator violence and

unrest by setting standards of behavior. This was

accomplished through various tactics, including prohibiting

banners, establishing alcohol management policies, and

setting a dress code for their stadium club participants.

Event management wore suits and ties, ushers wore

business like attire, and their security staff was referred to as

“Event Staff.”

The Meadowlands has long sent warning letters to fans who

were caught violating the facility’s policies and procedures

or violating the law. This was also the case with the

snowball incident. Further, the Meadowlands, along with the

Giants, used all available means to identify and bring those

involved in this incident to justice. The Giants revoked

season tickets and issued stern warnings to the owners of

those seats where individuals had been ejected for their

LARRY B. PERKINS

58

participation in the incident. They also revised the seat

license agreement mailed to season tickets holders,

informing the fans that they (Giants’) would hold them

accountable for the actions of their guests. The

Meadowlands NJ State Police Unit investigating the incident

used tapes of the television broadcast, news photographs of

the melee, their in-house TV production, newspaper articles,

informants, and other means to identify and prosecute those

involved.

The photo of a man (subsequently identified as Mr. Jeffery

Lange) throwing a

snowball was plastered

in newspapers all over

the country and the

Giants offered a $1,000

reward for his identify,

prompting hundreds of

calls. This led the New

Jersey State Police to

Mr. Lange, where he was charged with improper conduct.

Some members of the local media, as well as residents of

northern New Jersey, complained that the Giants had

unfairly singled out one individual from an incident with a

cast of hundreds. But Giants’ officials responded that

pursuing him was important because his photo had become

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

59

a symbol of everything that had gone wrong. Mr. Lange,

who had a history of run-ins with the law, including a charge

of assaulting a Police Officer, threatened to pursue legal

actions against the Giants, claiming financial and mental

anguish because of having been singled out. He claimed

that the notoriety of this incident led to his dismissal of

employment, as well as increased stress and social pains.

AFTERMATH What has been done in the aftermath of this incident to

decrease the likelihood of a repeat performance? Initially,

The Meadowlands had to deal with the impending Jets game

the following day (Sunday, December 24, 1995). Their staff

worked all night to remove as much additional snow as

possible before game time. Security, State Police, Parking,

and Traffic staffing levels were increased as a further

measure to discourage similar behavior. Judge George

Savino, from the town of East Rutherford, was brought to

the stadium for the game so criminal complaints could be

issued on site and immediately following any incident. They

distributed flyers to all drivers entering the complex alerting

them of the consequences of their behavior and broadcast

pre-recorded messages at the entrances to reflect the same.

Lastly, they denied entry and revoked the tickets of any

patron concealing and attempting to bring into the stadium

prohibited items. A complete review and rewriting of related

LARRY B. PERKINS

60

policies and procedures were to follow. Analyzing the

psychology of fan behavior was included in the process.

EVER CHANGING SOCIETY

What should be learned from this incident? First, facility

managers must always be aware and prepared for the

unexpected. Weather, among other things, is hard to predict,

but this should not allow it to be used as an excuse. Proper

preparation in advance of the event, in many cases, is

enough to avoid most mishaps. Facility managers must

make themselves aware of the changing characteristics and

demographics of the sports fan. With the birth of free

agency, for players as well as franchises, fans no longer

idolize and adore professional athletes as they did in the

past.

Outbreaks of violence and offensive behavior towards

players, coaches, and team personnel, unfortunately, are

expected to increase in the coming years with the changing

society. As we watch people like movie director Spike Lee,

who sits courtside, is known for his interaction and taunting

of players at New York Knicks games in Madison Square

Garden. The player is trapped with limited recourse. Lee

and others—Calvin Klein, Jack Nicholson, and fans—do

not fear retaliation as they unleash relentless assaults on

players whom they think are not pulling their load or who

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

61

have done something in society that goes against their

beliefs. This was the case with Carl Malone, Salt Lake City

Jazz, who was suspected of using marijuana.

BREAKING THE INVISIBLE LINE

The melee in Detroit on Friday, November 19, 2004,

during the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, NBA

basketball game, is a perfect example of this continuing

trend. An on court skirmish between Detroit’s Ben Wallace

and Indiana’s Ron Artest led to fans encroaching and

breaking through the invisible barrier after observing

Artest deliver a hard foul to Ben Wallace. Artest was

trying to prevent Wallace from scoring a basket late in the

game with 45.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Wallace

retaliated by pushing Artest in the chest. At that point, the

incident was over. Then a Detroit fan, subsequently

identified as John Green, took matters into his own hands.

He threw a container of beer at Artest in revenge. The

beer hit Artest, who was lying across the press table while

reportedly giving an interview. This caused Artest to bolt

into the stands to accost the fan whom he thought had

thrown the cup. (Artest has a history of acting out on his

frustrations.) The fan repeatedly told Artest that he hadn’t

thrown the cup. However, Artest didn’t believe his

assertion and grabbed the fan, bringing him to the floor.

Other players and fans instantaneously joined in the melee,

LARRY B. PERKINS

62

setting off an avalanche of emotions. Fans quickly went

from “an individual mindset” to a mob mentality. They

began throwing a montage of beer, water, cups, popcorn,

chairs—anything they could get their hands on. Some fans

went onto the court. Indiana coach, Rick Carlisle, was

quoted saying, “I felt like I was fighting for my life out

there.” He was not alone; David Harrison said, “There was

a time at the bus where they were telling us to turn off the

lights because they were afraid people would shoot at our

bus. We endured the verbal abuse didn’t we?”2

Commissioner Stern was quoted as saying, “This

demonstrates why our players must not enter the stands,

whatever the provocation or poisonous behavior of people

attending the games.”3

FAN PERSPECTIVE Fans have always longed to be as close to the playing

field/court as possible, and they pay handsomely to be near

the athlete. By being close, they feel as if they are part of the

action, as opposed to being a passive participant. Fans this

close can hear the conversations of the players—the

swearing, the jostling back and forth—the squeaking of their

2 Jon Krawczynski, Associated Press – Pacers scared by fans, angry at NBA – November 22, 2004. 3 By Mark Kreidler, Bee Sports Columnist – Sunday, November 21, 2004.

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

63

sneakers on the court, the grunts and groans They feel the

occasional moisture of the players’ perspiration; they catch

the loose ball and the athlete chasing it into the stands. In

some sports, like boxing, they can see the blood pouring out

of a boxer; they can see the trainer repairing the athlete’s

wounds and issuing strategic instructions.

Fans calling in to talk shows often state that they are

“season ticket holders” as their opening statement. This

statement can be taken as “I’m a stakeholder, and I have

rights.” This prelude statement can also be viewed as, “You

and your listeners should believe what I’m about to say.”

Stakeholders quantify these rights by pointing to several

things. The venue in which their team plays may have been

built with taxpayer funds. They pay for parking, and in many

cases, they even pay for special VIP parking. They own

multiple seats at thousands of dollars, eat in the restaurants,

buy alcohol, and entertain clients at the events.

Players often times do not see these inner workings of fans.

Many are either unaware or don’t care about the fan’s

objective and perspective. Say what you will about George

Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees. His players are

limited in the amount of facial hair they can wear. Yankee

players are viewed as regular American guys—the guy next

door. This is also true with NASCAR. The drivers, although

LARRY B. PERKINS

64

rich, are down in the thick of it all. You can see them in the

garage helping work on their cars. They talk about the car as

if it were a part of them. Race fans can identify with them as

“one of us.”

The so-called bad boys of the NBA are in contrast to what

fans want in their players. These antics and images of bad

behavior are a direct reflection upon the fans, the

stakeholders, their town, and the moral fabric of

wholesomeness. The fan feels that with the million dollar

salaries that players are paid comes the responsibility to

uphold and portray a professional imagine. The sight of Ron

Artest lying on the scores table may have been viewed as

disrespectful, an insult, a “don’t care” attitude.

Latrell Sprewell said, “I have a family I’ve got to feed” in

response to the $7,000,000.00 offer he received when re-

negotiating his NBA contract. We all know people who are

working two and three jobs, and many hours of hard labor,

while trying to provide for their family. At their $20,000

per year income, they hold no respect for claims of

poverty, as Sprewell asserts. The least amount of money

lost by any player in the 2004 melee between players and

fans was $48,888.00. This was the amount lost by Elden

Campbell, who was suspended for one game. His annual

salary was a mere $4,500,000.00.

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

65

PLAYER PERSPECTIVE

As noted above, many players understand the impact that

their behavior and actions have on the relationship with fans

and community. They do everything to maintain a positive

imagine. Gary Jitter (NY Yankees), Dennis Robinson (San

Antonio Spurs), George Martin, Harry Carson (NY Giants),

Buck Williams (NJ Nets), Joe Montana (San Francisco

49ers), Mia Hamm (Soccer), Jimmy Connors, Chris Everett

(Champion Tennis Players), Rod BrindAmour, and Eric

Cole (Carolina Hurricanes Hockey) are just a few that carry

this belief. I’m sure you know many others who are just

delightful people with high moral standards and who may be

looked upon as heroes. There are many athletes who still

bring honor to their craft and professional job.

Sports Athletes are like Hollywood celebrities. They are

often accosted and hounded by fans who want their

autographs and pictures or by those who want to talk to

them about their sport. Fans are not shy, and many do not

hesitate to invade the privacy of their favorite athlete at

dinner, at the movies, or wherever they go. The player can’t

escape and do things that normal people can do. They are

always in the public eye. Photographers have been known to

camp outside their homes and follow them around to get a

photo. Often these photos are not presented in faltering

LARRY B. PERKINS

66

light. The celebrity can’t make a mistake. They must be on

their best favor and look the part at all times.

Performers, athletes, and drivers alike all fear attacks by

fans. They try to get on stage, in the pit, or on the

field/court without incident. Some fans stalk them. Many

groupies campout at their hotels and knock on their door at

all hours of the night. There are many reasons fans do

this—from being able to share their adventures with others,

to being empowered with the few seconds of fame garnered

through this interaction, to the chance of marriage, or

perhaps an opportunity to share in their wealth.

This is, nonetheless, not an excuse to attack a fan, unless the

athlete is defending him/herself. There are laws to deal with

these acts of violence. In North Carolina and many states,

the law prohibits fans from throwing items onto the courts

and other places.4

4 North Carolina Criminal Law and Motor Vehicle Handbook 2003 Edition Criminal Law - Article 36 Offenses against the Public Safety (page 350) Section 14-281.1 Throwing, Dropping, etc. objects at sporting events. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, drop, pour, release, discharge, expose or place in an area where an athlete contest or sporting event is taking place any substance or object that shall be likely to cause injury to persons participating in or attending such contests or events to cause damage to animal, vehicles, equipment, devices, or other things used in connection

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

67

The decision by Commissioner David Stern and the

criminal charges being investigated by the prosecutor are

certain to have a much farther reaching impact on all

sports than perhaps he and others realize. If the charges

are too weak, it will give fans the ammunition, or a license,

to bring life’s issues and frustrations into the sports and

entertainment world. A weak sentence will send the

message to fans that it is okay for them to act out against

players and teams that they do not approve of or against

players and officials that they think did them wrong. It will

diminish the code of conduct and respect that fans should

have for professional athletes. It will replace self-control

with self-expression against society and players alike. No

longer will fans be able to attend a sporting event for the

sheer enjoyment and pleasure of watching a good game or

a close contest.

Each generation has its on take on issues they consider

norms. The chapter on moshing, particularly the Lilith

McQuoid story (see Chapter Seven), shows why we attend

certain concerts and engage in certain activities. The fact

that fans were waiting at the airport to greet the returning

with such contests or events. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.

LARRY B. PERKINS

68

Indiana Pacers from Detroit, as if they were heroes5 is

another indication that these incidents are likely to

continue. If so, we are certain to face bouts of hooliganism

in the worst sense.

This decision will determine what the physical layout of the

playing field will look like in the future. Will the courts and

playing fields need to be separated by chain-link fences,

moats, clear zones, or other barriers, as many of the soccer

fields are in other parts of the world?

Why do these stories about the bad guys get more media

attention than the good guys? If we as a society are

interested in “being and doing good,” then why don’t we

act, encourage, and reward good behavior? Do we say one

thing and want another? Why are the tabloids, a multi-

billion dollar industry, so popular? A story by Skip Bayless,

ESPN, suggests that spectators and viewers are desperate to

be “shocked and amazed.”6

Are racing fans only interested in the race? Do they talk

about the race or the accidents that happen? What do you

talk about around the water cooler?

5 Ian O’Connor, USA TODAY - Another sad chapter in behavior -November 20, 2004. 6 Skip Bayless, ESPN – Sport’s darkest day? No way, Wednesday, November 24, 2004.

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

69

The answer to that question will provide you a clue as to

what we as a society are interested in and want to see,

despite our cries of “outrage.” Thus, we are at fault for

patronizing, supporting, and rewarding these behaviors.

HISTORY OF FAN AND PLAYER VIOLENCE A look back at some of the worst fan/player incidents in

America’s sports history returns us to July 11, 1886, when

Umpire George Bradley was hit by a beer mug during

mayhem in the sixth inning of the second game of a

doubleheader at Cincinnati. However, this was mild

compared to the melee that took place near the end of the

Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons game on Friday, November

19, 2004. Fans and players threw punches at each other;

spectators tossed chairs, beer, ice, and popcorn. Four

players (Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, and

Ben Wallace) were suspended indefinitely by the NBA for a

fracas commissioner David Stern called "shocking, repulsive

and inexcusable."

The following chart highlights the history of Fan/player

incident over the past 118 years, and we note that form 1886

to 1994 there were a total of 10 incident during this span of

time of 109 years, and from 1995 to 2004 there were 13

incidents during this 9 year period, see figure C2.1:7

7 The Associated Press - November 20, 2004

LARRY B. PERKINS

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Fan/Player Incidents 1886 to 2004 (118-year History)

Incident Period

Total Years

Incidents Avg. Per year

1995 to 2004

9 13 1.44

1886 to 1994

109 10 .091

Total

118 23 .194

Figure C2.1 - This is not a complete list of incidents

Sept. 13, 2004 – Texas Rangers pitcher Frank Francisco threw a chair that hit a woman in the stands and broke her nose.

April 19, 2003 – An Oakland Athletics fan threw a cell phone at Texas Rangers outfielder, Carl Everett.

April 15, 2003 – A man came out of the stands and grabbed umpire Laz Diaz around the legs during a game between the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals.

Sept. 19, 2002 – A father and son burst onto the field at Chicago's Comiskey Park and slammed Kansas City Royals first-base coach, Tom Gamboa, to the ground, punching and kicking him.

Dec. 16, 2001 – Bottles were thrown by Cleveland Browns fans and hit players on both teams, as well as other people in the stands. Most of the hundreds of bottles were plastic but many were filled with beer.

March 29, 2001 – Tie Domi of the Toronto Maple Leafs wrestled with a fan in the penalty box in Philadelphia after Domi twice poured water on taunting spectators. The fan lunged against the glass and threw a punch at Domi that

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

71

didn't connect. A glass panel separating the two collapsed, and the fan was pulled into the box by Domi.

May 16, 2000 – A fight involving Los Angeles Dodgers players and Chicago Cubs fans at Wrigley Field began when a spectator grabbed the hat of Dodgers backup catcher, Chad Kreuter, in the bullpen. Kreuter went into the stands and several Dodgers followed, trading punches with fans. The incident resulted in suspensions for 16 players and three coaches. Seven of the suspensions were overturned on appeal.

Nov. 24, 1999 – Oakland Raiders were pelted with snowballs, some spiked with batteries, at Denver's Mile High Stadium. Charles Woodson allegedly threw a snowball that struck a female fan in the face. Lincoln Kennedy went after a fan who hit him in the face with a snowball.

Oct. 3, 1999 – A metal object thrown from the stands at Mile High Stadium in Denver hit Broncos cornerback, Dale Carter, in the cheek, causing blurred vision and a bruise.

Sept. 24, 1999 – A fan attacked Houston right fielder, Bill Spiers, in Milwaukee. Spiers ended up with a welt under his left eye, a bloody nose, and whiplash.

Dec. 23, 1995 – Fans at Giants Stadium hurled dozens of snowballs at the Chargers' sideline, interrupting a game between San Diego and New York. One snowball knocked San Diego equipment manager, Sid Brooks, unconscious.

Sept. 28, 1995 – Cubs reliever, Randy Myers, was charged by a spectator who ran out of the stands at Wrigley Field. Myers saw the man coming, dropped his glove, and knocked him down with his forearm.

Feb. 6, 1995 – Vernon Maxwell entered the stands and punched a fan who heckled him during a game at Portland. He was suspended for 10 games without pay and fined $20,000. He later settled out of court with the fan.

LARRY B. PERKINS

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Aug. 27, 1986 – California Angels first baseman, Wally Joyner, was hit in the arm by a knife thrown from the upper deck at Yankee Stadium. He was not hurt.

Dec. 23, 1979 – Boston Bruins forward, Stan Jonathan, was hit in the face by an object thrown by a fan. Right wing, Terry O'Reilly, was harassed by a stick-wielding fan at the end of a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Several Boston players, including O'Reilly and Mike Milbury, went into the stands to fight with spectators. Milbury removed a shoe from a fan and beat him with it.

July 12, 1979 – A radio DJ blew up disco records in the outfield at Comiskey Park, and a riot nearly ensued at "Disco Demolition Night" against the Detroit Tigers. Some of the 50,000 fans got into the park for 98 cents if they brought a record. They tossed them onto the field, threw beers and cherry bombs, and started fires. Game 2 of the doubleheader was called off.

April 25, 1976 – Chicago center fielder, Rick Monday, took an American flag from two fans who tried to set it on fire in the outfield at Dodger Stadium during the fourth inning of the Cubs' 5-4, tenth inning loss to Los Angeles.

June 4, 1974 – Nickel Beer Night in Cleveland drew 25,134 fans but turned into a forfeit victory for the Texas Rangers. Players rushed off the field to escape flying beer bottles and drunken fans before the forfeit was called in the last of the ninth inning.

April 2, 1969 – Toronto's Pat Quinn knocked out Boston Bruins great, Bobby Orr, with a vicious check during an NHL playoff game. A brawl broke out on the ice and in the stands, with Quinn leaving the Boston Garden under a heavy police escort.

Sept. 10, 1961 – Cleveland center fielder, Jimmy Piersall, was attacked by two fans who ran out of the right-field stands onto the field at Yankee Stadium during the seventh

FAN/PLAYER VIOLENCE

73

inning of the second game of a doubleheader. Piersall punched and kicked the two fans before teammates and police came to his aid.

Sept. 16, 1940 – After an argument at Ebbets Field, which resulted in a suspension for Dodgers manager, Leo Durocher, a fan punched umpire George Magerkurth.

Oct. 9, 1934 – After the Cardinals' Joe Medwick slid hard into Mickey Owen at third base for a triple during World Series Game 7 at Detroit, fans threw tomatoes at Medwick when he took his position in left field for the bottom of the inning.

July 11, 1886 – Umpire George Bradley was hit by a beer mug during mayhem in the sixth inning of the second game of a doubleheader at Cincinnati.

75

CHAPTER THREE

HOT SPOTS, PHYSICAL BARRIERS, AND LIMITATIONS

77

HOT SPOTS, PHYSICAL BARRIERS, AND LIMITATIONS A PERSPECTIVE AND FOCUS The following perspective will look at crowd safety

techniques from a fan’s viewpoint, focusing on three main

areas:

Hot Spots, Physical Barriers, and Limitations

Preparation

Awareness and Action

This section addresses various hot spots, physical barriers,

and limitations that can challenge a person while in a crowd.

Hot spots can present dangerous situations and conditions

that people may have to face while in a crowd. Physical

barriers and limitations are areas that can be hazardous and

can trap unsuspecting individuals. Through education and

CHAPTER THREE

LARRY B. PERKINS

78

awareness, the risk of injury or accidental death can be

greatly reduced or prevented all together.

The second section addresses self-precautionary steps that

can be taken before leaving home, upon arriving at a venue,

and during the course event. The implementation of these

safety guidelines not only protects the participants

themselves but also the venue and fellow human beings.

HOT SPOTS, PHYSICAL BARRIERS, AND LIMITATIONS

1. WHEN AND WHERE DO MOST PROBLEMS OCCUR?

Most injuries and deaths occur when the crowd is on

the move—generally during ingress, egress, celebration,

protest, and crowd surges. Crowds can grow or descend

from a few people to thousands in a matter of minutes.

It is within these periods of movement that the greatest

potential for a serious problem arises.

2. WHAT SITUATIONS CAN CAUSE THE BIGGEST RISK OF

INJURY OR DEATH?

Surge: Surges occur when the crowd is packed tightly

together. A tightly packed crowd moves as a single unit.

The pressure and force of the crowd can be

overpowering and prevent individuals from moving on

their own. When individuals lose their freedom of

HOT SPOT, PHYSICAL BARRIERS AND LIMITATIONS

79

movement, stampeding, trampling, and suffocation may

occur. Situations such as these can leave unsuspecting

participants with no avenue of escape. Surges are the

number one cause of multiple injuries and deaths

involving crowds.

3. WHAT FACTORS CAN CAUSE OVERCROWDING?

There are a number of factors that can cause

overcrowding and potential crowd safety issues. A list of

those factors include:

A popular event that’s at its full capacity

General admission, festival, or Mosh Pit seating

Spectators participating in activities, or activities

that encourage the crowd to be spontaneous,

such as a television camera pointed at an

enthusiastic audience. This happened at an

Army/Navy game in Philadelphia where a TV

crew pointed a camera at the audience to record

their reaction to the game. The chance to be

seen on TV caused the crowd to fight for

position. This jostling and forward surge caused

the railing in front to collapse and those against

it were seriously injured as they hit the ground.

(Also see Chapter Nine: Shaping Crowd

Behavior.)

LARRY B. PERKINS

80

Spectators attempting to catch an item thrown

into the audience.

The demographic makeup of the audience there

for a special event or in support/protest of a

cause.

The energy in a highly charged group and

early/late arrivals.

The type and amount of space that patrons have

in which to move about.8

Time and urgency of the situation.

4. WHAT CAN CAUSE A CROWD TO GET OUT OF

CONTROL?

Panic, protest, celebration, delayed start time, a call to

action by the performer (i.e., come on down, let’s go

crazy), etc.

8 The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and local codes require building doors swing outwards. This is done to provide easy escape from within the building should a fire or other catastrophic event happen within the facility. However, you should be aware that this can be dangerous as well. If you’re in a stairwell moving to a lower floor, the doors at the base of the stairwell may be closed. You could find yourself trapped with no avenue of escape, if the crowd is pushing you from behind. NFPA requires buildings with certain load levels (total number of people it can hold) to provide 7 square feet of space for each person therein. This amount of space allows you to move freely about without being subjected to unwanted touching. If your space is tight (like a crowded elevator), you know it’s too dense. This should cause you to stay alert and seek safety.


81

In 1999, during the three-day Woodstock reunion

concert in Upstate New York, fans rioted, raped, set

fires, and pilfered merchandise and food. As money ran

out, and pass out and return to the venue was limited,

fans turned their anger on the facility and those within

it, destroying equipment totaling in the millions.

Woodstock 1999 – Photos Courtesy of the Associated Press

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82

Woodstock 1999 – Photos Courtesy of the Associated Press

5. WHAT IMPACT DOES ENERGY AND PRESSURE HAVE

ON CROWDS?

Crowds are like locomotives, once they are in motion

they are hard to stop. The energy in a crowd, like the

energy of a moving train, must be released and must be

allowed to run its course. Energy is created by the

weight and speed of the train and can have a devastating

and deadly effect on anything in its path. Like the

pressure of a train, the crowd pressure can over take an

individual in an instant. Crowd pressure on the chest

cavity can be just as deadly as a train on an individual in

a matter of seconds. It is important that participants

understand the flow of a crowd and avoid being trapped

with no avenue of escape.


83

6. HOW DO SOUND AND ILLUMINATION INCREASE AN

INDIVIDUAL’S RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH?

Let’s first look at the noise level. The music at concerts

is often played at more than 102 decibels. At this

heightened level, it can be very difficult to hear someone

only inches away. Secondly, a lack of illumination can

also make it difficult for a participant to discern safety

issues. Further, consider the effects of smoke; it impairs

your visibility while at the same time choking the oxygen

from the air. The combination of the sound, darkness,

smoke, and a thrashing crowd can make it nearly

impossible to hear and see a person who has fallen or

who is injured.

7. WHAT FACTORS AFFECT A PERSON’S ABILITY TO GET

THEMSELVES OUT OF A “CROWD CRUSH” SITUATION?

This depends on a variety of factors. The pressure and

aggressive movement of the crowd, the physical barriers

the person may be faced with, and their personal

physical condition all contribute to a person’s ability to

escape a crowd crush. A person with poor health or

physical challenge, or a young person whose physical

body has not fully grown, are more at risk than others.

Any combination of these three factors can result in a

fan being faced with an emergency situation.

LARRY B. PERKINS

84

8. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME ASPHYXIATED

/ LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS?

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to a matter of

a few seconds to lose consciousness if a person’s oxygen

supply is cut off. Again, the main areas to be aware of

are crowding conditions, physical barriers, space

limitations, and one’s physical condition and age.

9. HOW DOES WEATHER CREATE PROBLEMS?

Every type of weather (hot weather or cold weather,

rain or snow, thunderstorm or hurricane) has its own

unique set of crowd management issues that need to be

assessed on an individual basis. Participants must assess

the weather, facility/grounds, and the activities in which

they will be participating. They should bring items that

will protect them from the elements, to which they may

be exposed. Examples of items that a person might

want to bring include medications, water, raincoats,

sunscreen, heavy jackets, and proper footwear

dependant on the situation.

10. HOW CAN DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURFACES AFFECT

CROWD CONTROL?

A person’s awareness of different types of surfaces and

the hazardous situations that may result can help to


85

combat safety issues before they develop. Concrete

floors can become slippery when wet from spilled

drinks, perspiration, and condensation. Therefore, if

the floor is concrete, patrons should wear rubber soled

and/or slip resistant shoes. A person should also stay

away from debris and other objects lying on the floor.

They can point these items out to security to help

prevent tripping hazards. Outdoor events can pose a

problem when held on uneven terrain or on rain-soaked

soil. Both of these surfaces can cause slips and falls

because of unsecured footing.

11. HOW CAN DIRECTION AND ELEVATION AFFECT

CROWD FLOW?

Participants should be aware of stairs, escalators, hills,

or any other areas where crowd motion can change

quickly. Whenever there is a change in direction or

elevation, crowds will either slow down or speed up

abruptly. This causes a “hot spot.” Because of the

abrupt change in direction and/or elevation, people will

take on a different stride than when walking at a normal

pace. This sudden change creates an imbalance of

footing. Another factor to weigh into the equation is

the fact that the back of the crowd may not be aware of

the change in direction and/or elevation ahead. If they

keep moving forward at the same pace, these patrons

LARRY B. PERKINS

86

will collide with the slower people in front. Their speed

will create a force exerted on those in front. Upon

impact, the stronger side of the two forces will

determine the direction of the crowd. The crowd will

either push forward, push backward, or if both forces

are equally balanced, the energy will be evenly dispersed.

Another dangerous situation to be on the lookout for is

the forward crowd surge. This is when most accidents

occur.

12. ESCALATOR SAFETY AND PROCEDURES

Escalator safety is a major concern not only in sports

and entertainment venues but also in any facility that

has escalators. Some of the common dangers associated

with escalators involve loose shoelaces, long pants,

hanging straps, and the tips of shoes getting caught in

the moving treads. This prevents both the individual

whose item is caught and those behind him from exiting

and escaping the escalator at the appropriate moment.

As a result, a pile occurs that could cause serious injury.

Further, persons reaching down to pick up a fallen item

may find their fingers and hand trapped and mutilated


87

between the treads and the side wall or in the teeth of

the bottom or top plate.9

An example of an escalator incident happened at Coors

Field where the escalator malfunctioned. It was reported

that at least 20 people were injured when a crowded

escalator at Coors Field suddenly accelerated after a

Colorado Rockies10 game on Wednesday, July 2, 2003.

Cherri Brownfield was on the escalator, near the end,

when it sped up.

"It's like it had no brakes and everybody was just

piling up at the end of it," she said. "People were

just falling on each other."

The escalator was carrying fans from the upper level to

the street after Colorado won. "I saw people's heads all

hitting each other," she said. "I heard people's bodies

banging against that thing."

9 “Injuries suffered in an elevator or escalator accident may result in the amputation of a limb or extremity. The Amputee Coalition of America defines amputation as ‘the absence of any part of an extremity (arm or leg) due to surgical or traumatic amputation.’ “Traumatic amputation is a common injury during elevator or escalator accidents. When the accident itself results in the immediate loss of limbs or extremities, it is considered to be a traumatic amputation.” By the Law firm of Edgar Snyder & Associates 10 Associated Press/CBS Broadcasting Inc. Thursday, July 3, 2003.

LARRY B. PERKINS

88

Nick Nossinger was watching the fireworks and saw the

accident. "People were just sliding down like an

avalanche," he said.

In addition to malfunctions, there are other safety

concerns of which you should be aware:

Escalators should never be used as a playground,

amusement ride, or for unsafe activities, such as

strollers, carts, skateboards, or wheelchairs (see figure

C4.1).

In researching escalator safety, I discovered that some

people who use wheelchairs also ride escalators. Despite

the safety warning issued by others who use

wheelchairs, some see no harm in doing so. Consider

this bulletin board discussion regarding the Coors Field

and a Gunn Arena escalator malfunction. (Their names

have been changed to protect their privacy.)

RIDER “I love riding escalators! It makes me feel like I'm

everybody else. The first time I ever saw anyone

do it was on Atlanta's light rail system, MARTA.


89

In the [Airport] terminals, you've got to fight a lot

of strollers and just lazy people to get on an

elevator. Once you get on you get to enjoy the

stench of putrid urine. I'm just trying to figure out

how to ride an escalator in my Jitney.

Also, I love freaking out mall managers and

security guards when they see me coming down

an escalator. Forget this stuff of having to go to

the center of the mall when the store you want is

at the top of the escalator.

I got ambushed at a newer mall. Their escalators

are too narrow for a wheelchair.

As for going down an escalator—go down

backwards. As long as I can hold on to the

handrails, I don't care if I lose the chair. I figure

that if it's a choice of me and the wheelchair

tumbling down onto the rider below or just the

chair falling, I think the latter is the better choice.

All in all I've never had a problem, a close call, or

ever been scared.”

LARRY B. PERKINS

90

RESPONDENT “If you get hurt on the escalator that’s cool, you

have made a choice and are prepared to live with

the results of it.

However, do you all consider what damages could

be done to other people on the escalator? They

are not part of your decision making process, but

certainly have a major stake should you take a

tumble.

If you are risking personal injury to them, it is no

longer a purely individual situation. This is why

society establishes norms. We had an escalator

accident at Coors Field last year. I cannot

remember what the exact injury was, but I do

remember that there was an amputation of

something—could be toe or even a foot [I] do not

remember. This happened to a downstream

domino that was a senior citizen, I think it was a

lady but cannot remember that either.

Having noted the above, I was not always an old

crippled coot. I rode both dirt bikes and street

machines.

[I] took a tumble at 50 + MPH. My helmet saved

my life. The scraping on the side actually wore


91

through the outer layer. Had I not been wearing it

30 years ago, Ben would not have had her old pen

pal here.

My wife's boss's son was not so lucky. He was the

son of the head of a hospital and a third year

medical student. Riding a skateboard and took a

fall. Three days later, his father knowing he was

brain dead made the decision no parent wants to

make, and pulled the plug. Organ donation was

the only positive to this event.

Therefore, if you want to get rambunctious, then

at least wear some safety gear. That way, you will

still be around to talk about your spill. I took mine

on the street, and on the sides of a hill, but lived

to talk about it. Hope you can do the same.”

The accounts of these of the foregoing incidents remind

us of the dangers that lurk within—not only for those

who use wheelchairs and skateboard users, as delineated

in this story. Safety, no matter what the activity, must

always be at the forefront of our minds.

13. ESCALATOR EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES

All escalators are equipped with emergency stop buttons.

It you find yourself entangled on an escalator or trapped

LARRY B. PERKINS

92

on one, yell out, “We’re trapped. Push the RED Stop

bottom at the top or bottom of the escalator!” then turn

and yell, “Go back!” This alert should then be followed

by attempting to avoid the person who’s trapped and

getting to safety and help for those trapped.

Figure C4.1

93

CHAPTER FOUR

PREPARATION BEFORE THE EVENT

95

PREPARATION BEFORE THE EVENT BEFORE LEAVING HOME

Before arriving at an event, here are some steps that all

persons should take that can help them stay safe while in

large crowds.

First – it is a good idea to tell family or friends

where you will be. If you are attending a ticketed

event like a concert or game, leave a copy of your

ticket along with other details with someone at

home. If an incident occurs, they will know how to

locate you to make sure you are okay.

Use a buddy system to look after each other.

CHAPTER FOUR

LARRY B. PERKINS

96

Photographer unknown

If it is hot, stay hydrated,

especially if outdoors.

If an incident does occur

and it is shown on

television or broadcasted

on the radio, call home

to let your family know

that you are okay.

CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES: ("What You Wear or Don't

Wear Can Be Very Important")

Wear something bright and easily seen by friends

like a shirt or coat.

Don't wear spikes, chains, or anything that can get

caught or cause harm to yourself and others.

It’s a good idea to wear a hat if outside in hot

weather.

Try not to carry a purse.

Make sure that your shoelaces are tied.

If you lose your shoes or other items in a crowd

surge or stampede, don't stop to pick them up.

Carry a cell phone, which you can use to call

security or 911.

Carry a "personal alarm" like a whistle or penlight.

Carry ID and medical information.

Awareness and Avoidable Actions

97

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Some facilities prohibit certain objects, foods,

materials, and personal items, such as cameras,

weaponry, certain types of shoes, cellphones, sticks,

video and audio recording devices, backpacks, bags,

containers, plastic, chains, noise makers, beverages,

etc. It’s a good idea to check with the facility prior to

going to the venue to determine what you may bring.

AWARENESS AND AVOIDABLE ACTIONS VENUE AWARENESS: ("When you get to the event, be

aware of your surroundings...")

Avoid being first in line when waiting for the gates

or doors to open. This is where crowd pressure can

build (see figures C4.1–4).

Know where the exits and first aid centers are

located.

Locate an alternative exit. The closest exit might not

always be the best one to use when stuck in a

crowd.

WHY ALTERNATE ROUTES? Once in a high density, panicked crowd, it’s nearly

impossible to escape. Upon entering a facility, room, or

platform look for alternate exits. Consider these

LARRY B. PERKINS

98

accounts of blocked exits, which caused panic and a

stampede.

Jodi Wilgroren of the New York Times11 reported that 21

people were killed and more than 50 were injured in a

stampede during the early hours on February 17, 2003,

after pepper spray was released nearby to break up a

11 Epitome Night Club Stampede Victims

CHICAGO, February 17, 2003 - Victims of the fatal incident at the Epitome Night Club, where 21 people were trampled and crushed to death while trying to escape pepper spray or Mace that security guards had sprayed on the dance floor.

Of those who were killed, 12 were female and nine were male. The victims ranged in age from 21 to 43.

Nita Anthony, 24 Robert Brown, 31 Demetricita Carwell, 23 Bianca Ferguson, 24 Kevin Gayden, 24 Debra Gill, 29 Danielle Greene, 23 Chanta Jackson, 26 David Jones, 20 Teresa Johnson-Gordon, 31 Charles Lard, 43 Latorya McGraw, 24 Antonio Myers, 34 Nicole Patterson, 22, of Chicago Nicole Rainey, 24 Dashand Ray, 24, of Hillside Charita Rhodes, 19, of Chicago Eazay Rogers, 21, of Chicago Damien Riley, 24 Maurice L. Robinson, 22 Michael Wilson, 22


99

fight between two women at the E2 night club in

Chicago, Ill. A few seconds later, arms jabbed into the

air in distress, pointing toward the already overstuffed

stairwell. A dungareed leg, a letterman's jacket, and the

soles of sneakers flew into the air, as bodies were

propelled by the surging crowd. Security cameras

showed that the front door remained open. However,

“the crush on the narrow staircase was so intense that a

pile of bodies formed at the bottom."12

12 February 18, 2003 New York Times, By JODI WILGOREN Epitome and E2, in a 16,000-square-foot landmark building two blocks from the McCormick Place convention center, opened in May 2000, replacing previous nightclub incarnations, the Clique and Hero's. E2 sits above the upscale steak and seafood restaurant Epitome. The club, known for raucous dance parties, had been ordered shut in July because of 11 violations of fire and building codes.

The first firefighters, responding to a 911 call about a pregnant woman in distress, arrived at 2:24 a.m. to discover the mob scene. Survivors of the stampede here described a chaotic and frantic nightmare, with people gasping for air amid the sprays as they climbed on top of each other down the stairs.

"I couldn't breathe, I was in there searching for air," said Chandra Spencer, 30. "There were so many people who died in front of me. Them guards killed them people. There was no need for them to do what they did."

It [E2 Nightclub] was the nation's deadliest stampede incident in recent years. In December 1991, nine people were crushed to death in a stampede at a celebrity basketball game at City College in New York. And in December 1979 in Cincinnati, 11 people were killed trying to get into a concert by The Who. Death tolls have been larger overseas, with 53 people killed in Minsk in 1999 as they fled a rock concert.

LARRY B. PERKINS

100

On February 21, 2003, at least 95 people died after a

massive fire broke out during a White Snake rock

concert at the Station Island Club in Rhode Island. The

small club was estimated to have around 350 people

inside at the time. The speed with which the fire spread

was a major factor behind the heavy death toll. The

governor of Rhode Island was quoted as saying, "If you

were not out of that building in 30 seconds you didn't

have a prayer."

Be aware of surfaces you're standing on and their

condition (muddy, wet, slippery, uneven, broken

bottles, cans, and other debris).

Watch for stairs, escalators, and hills—places where

crowd motion can surge forward.

Do not stand near or climb on temporary

structures. These structures are built to

accommodate a specific amount of weight and

could collapse under added strain.

Check for signs of poor management and security.

At events where there is a large crowd, look for

security. Note if security is in control of the crowd

or if the crowd is out of control. These are signs

that suggest you should move to a safer place.


101

SURGING CROWDS: Avoid areas where crowd density prevents you from

moving freely.

If the band encourages the crowd to move closer to

the stage, try to get out of the flow.

Remember, those at the rear of the crowd have no

idea what's happening up front.

Crowds that surge forward are the most dangerous

because of the physical, rectangular shape of the

space in front of the stage. Crowds surging to the

side are less dangerous because they have a lower

crowd density.

If the band encourages the crowd to “come on

down,” the crowd could surge forward. The crowd

in the back may not be aware that there is no room

at the front. This may cause people to be pressed up

against the stage barricade with no avenue of

escape. Stage barricades are typically 4 feet high,

which for most people is at chest height. With

prolonged pressure, the chest cavity can become

compressed; if this pressure is sustained, a person

can become asphyxiated and die. One technique

used to regain personal space and to prevent injury

is to spread your feet apart about shoulder length

and push against the barricades with your hands.

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102

This allows enough space so that your chest doesn’t

become collapsed against the barricade.

Tight, high-energy crowds can create compression

waves. Some waves can move you as far as 10 feet.

Compression waves can sweep a person off their

feet creating ebb and flow within the crowd. If you

are caught in a compression wave, keep your legs

moving within the crowd and try not to fall.

If you fall in a surging crowd, try to get up

immediately—don’t hesitate.

What do you do if you cannot get up? Crawl in the

direction of the crowd flow. If that fails, cover up,

create an air pocket, and protect your head.

Do not stand still or try to sit in a moving crowd.

This can cause you to be trampled. Move in the

direction of periphery.

Trying to talk to someone only a few inches away

with the music at 102 decibels can be difficult.

Sometimes when the music starts, it can send the

crowd into a frenzy—be aware of this possibility.


103

SPORTING EVENTS: Try to sit on your team's side in the facility.

Stay within the seating area and NOT in an aisle. If

the crowd does surge, you may be able to escape the

force.

Stay away from fences, the bottom of aisles, or

other places where there is no escape if the crowd

surges.

Be aware of loud and rude behavior, drinking, or

rivalries.

Be aware of aggression and aggressive behavior.

Be aware of the team score—fans could charge the

field in celebration or protest and trap you against

an immovable object, like a fence, post, or wall.

Be aware that crowds might come from behind or

above you.

Figure C4.1

Figure C4.2

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104

Fig C4.1. Disorganized crowd movement toward an

unmovable object.

Fig. C4.2. Division of Crowd into two specific lines makes

the flow faster and safer.

Fig. C4.3 “L” shape reduces crowd density problems. If the

crowd surges forward, persons in the crowd are in free and

unobstructed space.

Fig. C4.4 “L” shape with “Clear Zone” to control the

number of people within a given area to ease security

screening.

STRUCTURES Temporary structures are built to withstand a certain

amount of weight. Exceeding this weight limit and/or high

velocity wind can cause a structure to collapse.

Figure C4.4

Clear Zone

Figure C4.3


105

Here are several situations where structures failed:

STAGE COLLAPSES ON .38 SPECIAL13

“The band and crew members suffer minor injuries

after wind fells canopy and rigging.

A Colorado-area performance by .38 Special was cut

short on Saturday night (8/12) when the stage canopy

and rigging that the band was standing beneath

collapsed, according to a venue spokesperson. Two

members of the band's crew suffered minor injuries and

required medical attention.

A sudden gust of wind toppled the metal-framed

canopy in the middle of the band's performance at

Colorado's Echo Basin Ranch, the spokesperson said.

The band's soundboard operator suffered a fractured

foot, while the tour manager received six stitches to

close up a head wound, she added.”

'N SYNC SHOW CANCELED AFTER WIND COLLAPSES

STAGE14

“No one was hurt, promoters plan to reschedule the

show.

'N Sync canceled a Sunday (6/25) performance in the 13 By Jon Zahlaway, Live Daily News 14 By Rob Evans, Live Daily News

LARRY B. PERKINS

106

Chicago area because a 40-feet-high stage that was being

constructed for the show was felled by strong winds on

Friday (6/23).

According to the Joliet fire department, no injuries were

reported in the stage collapse. Workers had stopped

work on the 140-feet-wide stage and taken shelter to

avoid lightning before the structure was torn apart by

the wind.

Approximately 60,000 fans were expected for the

concert.”

WEDDING HALL COLLAPSES “A three-story wedding hall where hundreds of people were

dancing collapsed Thursday night, killing at least 15 and

injuring more than 200 others, police said.

People were trapped under huge concrete slabs and metal

wreckage. Amid signs of life, rescuers worked feverishly

to reach them.

‘People were flying through the air, the orchestra, the

loudspeakers, everything fell,’ said Efraim Rino, his voice


107

choking as he told Israeli television that some of the

victims were his relatives.”15

15 World News, (May 2001) “Wedding hall collapse kills 15,” JERUSALEM (AP), http://www.staugustine.com/world/ (Referenced: August 2004)

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CHAPTER FIVEMOSHING AND MOSH PITS

111

MOSHING AND MOSH PITS Moshing has been around since the early days of slam

dancing, which became mainstream in the mid-80s when

such groups as Metallica, AC/DC, Whitesnake, and other

heavy metal bands began playing music with longer

rhythmic patterns that sustained the body thrashing.

Concert goers became crazed with this style of dancing.

However, reserved row seating arrangements made it

restrictive and difficult to get through the aisle to engage

other friends in the dance/thrashing. Soon reserved seating

gave way to festival seating, as this provided freedom of

movement and allowed those wanting to participate to do

so. Thus, “Moshing” was born.

Participants found moshing to be exciting. It left them with

a euphoric feeling without the use of drugs. Another

derivative of this new activity was that participants found

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that they could mosh with anyone. This was particularly true

with men who would not normally touch one another or

dance with another guy. Those interviewed said they got an

“adrenaline rush” when they moshed and claimed that there

was nothing like it. THE MOSHING EXPERIENCE

“THE LILITH MCQUOID’S STORY” For many it’s the “Thrill.” The euphoria that participants

experience from the adrenalin rush is similar to the rush of a

roller coaster ride and leaves them wanting more. Some say

that the sensation makes them feel adventurous and

lightheaded. The adrenalin is a natural pain reliever. Its

effect mimics that of a drug.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview a former

mosher, and I would like to share her insight with you.

I began the interview by asking her “How does one decide

to attend a moshing event?”

“I was a misfit in my neighborhood,” she said. McQuoid,

author of The Last Original Novel, is now 32 years old. She

grew up in Philadelphia, PA. She was born Jennifer Armes.

“I’m not a Jennifer,” she proclaimed. “I had a mid-life crisis

and changed my name to express myself. It’s more me.”

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113

Lilith began attending concerts at the age of 13. “I liked

going to concerts. I went to lots of them,” she said. “Oh

yes, it definitely did that,” she said, when asked about the

euphoria some participants claim to feel during such events,

she said, “It was a great stress release. You could vent all of

your troubles without really hurting anyone. I couldn’t

dance,” she said jokingly. “This was the perfect relief for

me. I loved the music, and the people were always so nice.

In Philadelphia, the Trop Theater was the biggest one.”

Besides being a self-proclaimed misfit, she thrived on music

whose lyrics offered an intellectual message. “Bands I

wanted to see were political—motivational—and they

played what I liked,” she said.

Lilith’s voice rose as she talked about her times attending

moshing concerts. “I still have them—plaid ones and black

ones of course,” she said in excitement, referring to the Dr.

Martens boots she used to wear in the mosh pit. “They have

steel toes. Back in the day, when I didn’t have much money,

I would buy them at the Army Navy store. But they didn’t

last as long—they were not the best quality, and these were

not steel toed either.”

Shoes in the pit can be a danger to others if one is kicked,

particularly by those with steel toes. But they also offer

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personal protection. “Steel toed boots were used to protect

your toes from being crushed by the onslaught of people.

The front of my boots would be covered in footprints with

no harm to me. I never saw anyone get hurt, not really. [I

saw] fights, but not because of moshing. Security was always

around,” she added, offering reassurance. “Most bands at

these smaller venues had a better view of the crowd. If they

saw something that needed to be attended to [such as a fight

or someone who needed to get out] many of them would

stop singing to point it out and offer aid.

“If someone fainted or something, the people next to them

would lift them up top [overhead], and the crowd would

push them out to where security was. I stayed hydrated. I

never drank alcohol while in the pit. You shouldn’t go in the

mosh pit with a beer bottle. I drank before and after but

never during,” she said. “Of course I was older then

anyway, 21. But I did drink before that.”

Lilith also liked body surfing, “[When you’re body surfing],

you never knew where you were going. Sometimes you’d

end up right back where you started. Your destination was

never the point, but the ride itself.

“On occasion when we staged dived, they [guys] would feel

you up, but they never, never went below the waist. It felt


115

good. I won’t lie to you. I felt guys up, too. They would be

standing in front of me facing the band, and I would grab

their tight behinds. I was 16 or 17 when this happened. The

guys were good protectors. Because of my height and size,

“five-one” inch, they used to protect me—although, I was a

bouncer at a Fugazi Show. In college, I was a DJ. I liked it. I

liked it a lot,” she said.

“I had lots of adventures; I did get into a fight once. It was

with a skinhead. She was standing in front of me, who sits

during a concert? I stood during an Elton John concert”.

While dancing, she was continuously kicking her legs back

and hitting my shins. I gently pushed her forward so that

she did not make contact with my legs while she was

dancing. She moved my hands and continued. So I again

gently moved her forward. This occurred a few times until

she turned around and spat in my face. With that last action,

I punched her in the head four times. By this time, I was

really frustrated. We ended up in a circle they made around

us. I had won the fight, but she called over her friends; then

my boyfriend and I decided to get out of there.”

“I really did enjoy the experiences of my youth. The swell of

energy did not stay in the individual at these shows but

instead moved through the collective and formed us into a

single living entity in comparison to a crowd full of

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individuals. Each had its own part, but all eyes were toward

the stage, ears perked to the chords playing while the group

moved to and fro, in waves. When we left the concert hall,

many would pat strangers on the back for a job well done,

as if we were the performers.”

According to Lilith, the music of today is different from

when she attended other shows. “Things changed for the

worst. But then again, I remember the ‘good old days’ of

Hardcore. Now lyrics are more like candy, bubble gum, you

know what I mean?” she asked. “It used to be a more

intellectual message, for the most part. They don’t play that

anymore.”

I could hear the sadness and disappointment in her voice as

she educated me on her world and what made her happy.

This indulgence was more than just a passing fad. Lilith’s

three-and-a-half-year-old son is living proof. His middle

name is Joey. She named him after a member of one of her

favorite bands, The Ramones. Joey Ramone died just two

weeks before her son was born.

The pit is a place where some go to experience things that

may be deemed unacceptable by society outside this area.

They seek out thrills, freedom of expression (political or

self), and feelings of belonging, overcoming fear, euphoria,


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Moshing

excitement, and self-inflicted and/or subjective pain. Mosh

pits can be dangerous, but “anything can be dangerous,”

Lilith reminded me. Perhaps that’s the thrill—the

excitement of escaping injury or death. As Lilith suggests, it

also offers a place “to defy authority.”

MOSHING Moshing is created when people

start to hurl themselves into each

other. Often moshing takes on the

form of a tornado spinning in a

circle. This is done to make room

in the crowd to mosh. Generally,

pockets of mosh pits spawn at

areas closest to the stage first, then spread further back and

into the seating areas.16

The music being played highly influences the degree to

which participates mosh and how much energy they

produce in their frenzy.

At times, people also body surf while at concerts. This is

when people take a running start and throw themselves onto

the shoulders of others in the crowd. The crowd in turn lifts

16 Moshing and body surfing photos courtesy of IAAM, Inc

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Body Surfing

the individual up and pushes them along, as if they are

riding a wave.

Generally, the moshing and

body surfing happens at the

center portion of the pit.

Often persons will rush the

aisles and jump onto the floor

from the seating area.

MOSH PITS: Mosh pits by nature can be dangerous. However, if you

choose to get in one, follow these guidelines for your safety.

Understand what Mosh pits are, the activities that

take place within them, and where you are going

once inside. It’s critical that you know where crowd

pressure (density) is most likely to occur in a Mosh

pit. (See figure C5.1.)

Young children should never go into the pit; ask to

be relocated.

If you have to jump up to see what's on stage,

DON'T get in the pit, you could lose your balance,

get knocked over, slip, or fall. Once down on the

floor, the pressure from the crowd makes it difficult

to get up.


119

If you fall in a moving crowd, crawl in the direction

of the crowd flow. Should you fall while the crowd

is dancing/moshing, bring your feet into a hopping

position and immediately spring (push yourself) up.

If a circle forms to jostle or butt heads, get away.

Stay on the fringe of the pit rather than up front or

in the center where density levels are tight. The

crowd density levels at the front and center are

tighter than on the fringes. A combination of

crushing and trampling from crowd surges occurs

along the front barricades. Trampling alone occurs

when a person falls and the crowd runs over them.

BODY SURFING

If the crowd starts to body surf, watch for tight

density areas. A less dense area could result in the

surfer being dropped to the floor.

Do not assume that security at the barricades will

always catch the surfer. Security may already have

their hands full or may be doing other things.

If you are in the pit, watch for flying feet, elbows,

boots, chains, etc. These objects could cause

injuries.

Do not ride on someone else's shoulders. That

person could fall. It also blocks the view of others.

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Watch for fans jumping onto the floor from the

seating bowl. This could cause overcrowding, and

you should move to an area where you could vacate

the floor if necessary.


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MOSH PIT DIAGRAM Figure C5.1

S E A T I N G

Aisle

Second Mosh Section, Festival or Reserved Seating Section

In\Out

Arena Moshing Diagram

Clear Zone & Stage Barricade

In\Out

Crowd Density Zones

C L E A R

Z O N E

7 Sq. ft

1.5 Sq. ft

15 Sq. ft

EGRESS&ACCESS

EG R E S S& AC C E S S

CLEAR

ZONE

CLEAR ZONE

ACCESS AISLE

STAGE

Out Out

Not to scale – One design of many Flow

Flow

?

Al t.

?

Al t.

?

?

S E A T I N G

?

?

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THE FACILITY MANAGER Along with moshing comes a long list of concerns from the

facility manager’s perspective. Facility managers must

choose between accepting shows that require a mosh pit

along with the other shows that the promoter might

represent. This decision affects the entire revenue stream

upon which the building relies. This is an ongoing debate

and is often discussed among facility managers.

DEATH AND INJURY RATES In an article published by Reuters News Service on March 1,

1999, a survey revealed that fewer deaths occurred in 1998

than in 1997. The report stated that the number of deaths

associated with rock concerts in 1998 declined to eight,

from the decade high 19 in 1997. It further reported that

since 1993, 62 people worldwide, including 17 in the United

States, had died and roughly 21,000 were injured while

attending 177 concerts and festivals.

The number of deaths and injuries as reported seems

excessive when it’s compared to the number of facilities and

concerts held each year. Injuries and deaths occurring at

concerts are not reported as frequently as noted in the

Reuter report. Let’s examine both the total number of

deaths per concert as has been reported over the five-year

period. Reuters News Service reported that there was a total


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of 177 concerts and 62 deaths in the five-year period

studied. If we divide the 62 deaths by 5 years, then we have

12.4 deaths per year. Further, if the average number of

concerts per year is 35, then the average number of deaths

per concert is a whopping .354.

The following chart, figure C5.2, illustrates these statistics as

represented by Reuters News Service:

Five-Year (1993 to 1998) Reuters’ Concert Safety Report*

Actual/ Average

Per Year Incidents Per Year

Five-Year Totals

Five-year report–deaths*

12.4 per year 62 deaths

Five-Year–177/5 concerts*

35 concerts per year

12.4 deaths

.354 deaths per concert

Five-year report–Injuries*

4,200 per year 21,000 injuries

35 concerts per year

4,200 injuries

120 injuries per concert

Figure C5.2 A highly speculative of incidents figures when incorporating

all major concert facilities into the equation suggests that the

chance of death at a concert would be 1 in 15,967,742 and

the chance of injury would be 1 in 47,143. See figure C5.3

below.

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Five-Year (1993 to 1998) Concert Safety Speculative Review Only* Actual/ Average

Per Year Incidents Per Year

Five-Year Totals

Average number of concerts

5 per facility 25 concerts per facility

Number of Facilities 3,000 15,000 Average Attendance per concert

• Arena 12,000 • Performing Arts –

2,000 • Stadiums – 35,000 • Amphitheaters -

12,000 • Convention

Centers – 5000

66,000 as a group

3,300,000 Five-year group attendance

3,000 Facilities X 66,000 group attendance per year

198,000,000 Divided by 12.4 (Reuters Report)

15,967,742 chance of death

3,000 Facilities X 66,000 198,000,000 Divided 4,200 (Reuters Report)

47,143 chance of injury

*These figures—62 deaths over five years—are based on the Reuters News Service article, March 1, 1999. The remaining figures for injuries, deaths, and number and types of facilities are purely speculative, hypothetical, and not actual scientific data. The speculative figures were intended to represent concerts only and did not include attendance from other events hosted by the facilities. Figure C5.3

This speculative study suggests that the chance of death at a

concert over a one-year period is 1 per 16 million. To put

this in perspective, in 1998, vehicle fatalities were estimated


125

at 1 death per 6,211 (US figures only).17 Thus, a person is

nearly 3 times more likely to die in an automobile accident

than at a concert. Nonetheless, facility managers are in

constant search of ways to make their facilities safer.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUNG CHILDREN?18

Try to avoid events where only festival seating is

available. Young children should never be in a mosh

pit unless supervised by an adult who is

knowledgeable of the mosh pit activities and can get

them out in case of dangerous activities.

Check the ticket and note the type of seating, i.e.,

festival, general admission, or reserved. If this is a

festival seating event, call the venue and ask to

upgrade your ticket to GA or reserved. If you are

already at the venue, see if you can be relocated.

17 Accidents/Unintentional Injuries (All figures are for US) Deaths Annually: 97,835 (1998) Death Rate: 36.2 deaths per 100,000 population (1998) Cause of Death Rank: 5 (1998) Motor Vehicle Deaths: 43,501 (1998) Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates: 16.1 deaths per 100,000 population (1998) Source: National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 48, No. 11 18 Moshing can be found at high school events and home parties. There is also a dance craze call the “freak dance,” which is a spin off the “doing the dog” and “doing the butt” dances. With this dance, the guy grinds his hips into the girl’s rear end. At the same time, she bends over and pushes back into him.

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THE HAZARDS OF FESTIVAL SEATING?

The hazards of festival seating include early arrivals;

rushing to claim space; stairs and other bi-

directional movement; high-density areas at the

gates and stage; and potential trampling. Make sure

you hold onto the railings.

How can you communicate to others? Through

hand signals and eye contact.

Try practicing hearing a person in close proximity to

you while music blares at 102 decibels.

WHAT TO DO IF HURT?

Ask for help. Go to first aid. Identify the person

who caused the injury. Always maintain your ticket

stub to show in what section you were seated.

In addition to these guidelines, it must be stated that

each event, venue, and the general public encounter a

number of variables that affect crowd control. Both

the individual and the facility must share the

responsibility for preventing accidents at events.

Further, venue managers must stay abreast of industry

trends, local laws (on issues such as alcohol and

smoking regulations), time of event, crowd

demographics, fan loyalty, type of event, and venue

layout, among other matters.

127

CHAPTER SIXTYPES OF SEATING

129

TYPES OF SEATING

RESERVED SEATING

GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING

FESTIVAL/MOSH PIT SEATING

LAWN SEATING RESERVED SEATING This means that you have a ticket to a specific event, with a

specific section and a specific seat.

This is the best option of the three types of seating

structures. Persons who purchase reserved seating are

generally more at ease about attending an event because they

know that a seat will be waiting for them upon their arrival

at the venue. Therefore, there’s no need to rush or to arrive

early unless they want to experience the atmosphere and

amenities offered at the event.

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GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING

General admission seating means that you have a ticket for a

specific event and you may occupy any seat available at the

event. In some cases, however, seats may be divided by

price categories. Thus, you’ll be required to sit in a section

that meets your ticket fee.

One concern associated with this type of seating is that it

may be necessary for you to hunt for an open seat,

particularly if you have several people in your party or arrive

late. Churches, graduations, night clubs, social events, little

league games, and certain concerts are examples of events

that offer general admission seating. These venues and

events offer primarily bleacher, pew, and stool type seating

for guests to sit. The space allotted for each person is

generally 18 inches.

FESTIVAL/MOSH PIT SEATING

Festival and Mosh Pit seating means that you have a ticket

to the event but no seat. You may occupy a space, similar

to lawn seating. Festival seating has been around for

centuries. Its name says it all—“Festival.” Festival seating is

a term used mostly to describe outdoor, open field seating.

It was subsequently used to describe any seating where just

space was offered, particularly spaces near the front of the

stage. Any of the five types of seating may be offered

TYPES OF SEATING

131

throughout the venue. However, where a mixture of seating

types is offered, general and reserved seating are either

behind or on the sides of festival and mosh pit seating.

Many performers like festival seating because of the

excitement of dancing and acting out that it brings. People

can mosh, body surf, and dance in the open space. Many

bands also like the fact that they can hurl themselves from

the stage into the audience. They refer to this as stage

diving.

People purchase festival seating because they can be as close

or as far away from the stage as they wish.

Some people want to see their heroes up close and personal.

They want to see the sweat on their brow, hear them talk to

each other during set changes, and feel the thump of the

music through their body. Being close also allows you to feel

the heat of the pyrotechnics as they explode into the air.

You can smell the aftermath of its smoke as it drifts to the

floor. Seeing the performer up close and hearing the

speakers blaring their favorite melody is the ultimate

experience and adrenalin rush for some people.

People often arrive at the venue very early to be the first in

line for festival seating. This also means being first in the

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venue. Once the doors are opened, the crowd rushes in and

heads to the floor (Pit area) to claim their space close to the

stage. Remember, this is the ingress phase, one of the

periods when injuries and deaths are mostly likely to occur

at a gathering.

LAWN SEATING Lawn seating is similar to festival seating in that there are no

physical seats. Both Lawn and Festival type seating offer

specific space within the venue. It is important to note that

at an amphitheatre, lawn seating is in the back of the regular

seating area and festival seating is at the front near the stage.

This type of seating does not offer the up close and personal

experience with the performers. Further, lawn seating is

generally not covered to protect you from the elements.

However, many facilities offer big screen TV monitors

pointing out to the lawn seats to offset the distance from

the stage. Also, the venue may allow you to bring in

binoculars to enhance your viewing.

Always check with the venue on items

permissible inside the facility before you arrive.

TYPES OF SEATING

133

ACCESSIBLE SEATING

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that

seats be set aside for persons who have a need for accessible

seating. This means a person who has a permanent disability

in any of life systems: mobility impairment, visual and

hearing impairments, and/or respiratory conditions that

make it difficult to access certain seating areas within a

venue.

It’s important to note that the ADA does not require a

venue to provide for temporary disabilities, i.e., broken leg,

pregnancy, persons who had a recent operation, etc.

The ADA does require most facilities to provide assistive

listening devices to those with a hearing impairment. These

devices are connected to the venue’s sound system, which

amplifies the sound. Facilities cannot charge for the use of

assistive listening devices. They may ask you to leave a

security deposit and/or driver’s license to ensure the return

of these items at the conclusion of the event.

The ADA does not require a venue to provide personal

items or assistance, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or

escorts. However, in case of an emergency, the venue is

required to provide the necessary evacuation and safety

paths and/or equipment (means of egress), including areas

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of rescue. Always inquire about safety procedures at the

building, including alternate exiting routes and services.

135

CHAPTER SEVENSHAPING CROWD BEHAVIOR

137

SHAPING CROWD BEHAVIOR According to John J. Fruin, Ph.D., there are four elements

that shape crowd behavior, as it relates to serious crowd

incidents. These four elements are time, space, energy, and

information.

TIME (EARLY/LATE ARRIVALS AND ESCAPING) Dr. Fruin states that crowds rarely become a problem when

there are sufficient facilities to handle their needs. The

more people to be served, or the shorter the time period in

which they must be served, the more facilities are needed,

i.e., access and exit points, wider corridors, rest rooms,

seating capacity, etc. Crowds can build quickly and

overwhelm the facility’s flow points and other areas. Rapid

accumulation of people queuing at a facility can outstrip its

capacity to handle the load. A crowd is most dangerous

when it is moving. This includes when the crowd is arriving,

EIGHT

CHAPTER SEVEN

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leaving, protesting, or celebrating. Anything that causes a

sudden rush in or out could send a crowd out of control.

The best solution for facilities to implement is to prevent

the masses from reaching a gate at the same time. Thus,

patrons may be redirected to a different entrance. Facilities

may also set up turnstiles or barricades to help defuse and

spread the crowd out in order to control entry.

SPACE (CROWD DENSITY/FACILITY DESIGN) As people are pressed closer and closer together, they

actually move slower and slower. Crowds of people can

generate huge and powerful compression waves. The waves

can create movement of up to 10 feet and can be too

powerful for an individual to resist. A large number of

people trying to go through a narrow exit might actually be

slower than spreading the crowd out so they can move

faster.

One major space concern is crowd density, which refers to

how many people can safely move into, or through, a space

at one time. Be aware of the critical density level as defined

by Fruin. He believes that when a minimum of 8 people are

pressed together and have less than 1.5 ft. per person, the

crowd has reached a critical density level. At this point, there

is no space between people. In this situation, shock waves,

which cause individuals to move involuntarily, can be seen

SHAPING CROWD BEHAVIOR

139

moving through crowds. As crowds begin to pack in, the

danger potential grows rapidly. When guests cannot avoid

contact with other guests and there is unwanted touching,

then you know that the area is at or near capacity. When

individual guests cannot control their own movement, you

are at the critical level.

What should you do? Watch areas of potential crowding

and act early to keep away. Ask to be relocated if possible,

and listen to security and/or announcements regarding

safety.

ENERGY (FORCES WITHIN CROWDS) The energy level of the crowd has a huge influence on its

behavior. High-energy crowds are much more likely to

press into small spaces, creating the potential for trampling

or crushing.

High-energy crowds are often a sign of fun. They are also a

reason to worry. Once crowds get moving, they are often

difficult to stop. Like a freight train or oil tanker, the crowd

develops momentum that is difficult to harness.

Reports of persons being literally lifted out of their shoes

and clothing being torn off are common in uncontrolled

crowd situations. In tightly packed crowds, this can happen

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without the knowledge of other people standing only a few

feet away. Survivors of crowd disasters report difficulty

breathing because of crowd pressures. Asphyxia, very likely

accentuated by fear, is a more common cause of crowd

deaths than trampling.

The pressure of a crowd is very forceful. The failure of a

steel railing that was under crowd pressure was noted in the

Glasgow, Scotland soccer stadium disaster is just one

indication of the forces involved with crowd pressure. A

bent steel railing was also observed at the Cincinnati Who

concert in 1979. The force required to bend a 2-inch

diameter steel railing 30 inches above the base is estimated

at 1,000 pounds. This amount of force can be created by

less than ten people.

Competitive rushing away from something by a crowd is

termed “panic” by Fruin. Competitive rushing toward some

objective (as with the Cincinnati incident) is termed a

“craze.”

Be cognizant of high-energy crowds. The energy level of a

crowd can be good or bad. Energy is noted to be

particularly high at the beginning of a popular performer

and/or popular song. While high-energy music boosts a

crowd, slow music will actually slow a crowd.

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141

INFORMATION (INFORMED DECISIONS) Situations may happen so fast that the facility manager is

unable to get the appropriate information to you in a timely

fashion. Many times, guests will speculate on the issues and

then pass this information on to those around them, even if

it is totally false.

If the event must be cancelled, chances are you will not

receive a refund that evening. There are many reasons for

this. The event may have been sold out, and the facility

might not have enough funds on hand to refund all of the

patrons the night of the event. The performer, promoter,

and facility may be trying to reschedule the event for the

next day or as soon thereafter as possible. Traffic may still

be arriving that the facility must deal with, or the facility may

be preparing for the exiting.

If you purchased your tickets at an outlet, broker, or source

other than at the venue, then you will have to go to the

point of purchase to seek a refund. Caution: refunds most

likely will not include service fees. That’s a convenience fee

you paid. The facility/service centers have done their jobs

by providing you with a service, much like a postal service.

Look for announcements in area newspapers or listen to

local radio and TV stations for information on refunds and

the re-scheduled performance.

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In most states, however, you are entitled to a refund for up

to one year following the original date of the scheduled

event.

Should an event be cancelled, the venue parking and traffic

staff will most likely begin to turn guests away and not allow

you on the property.

143

CHAPTER EIGHTSTANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

145

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR Many facilities, including the major leagues, have developed

“Standards of behavior” guidelines. Serious crowd

management problems can occur if there are no clear

standards of behavior. While you may have the right of free

speech, those attending the event have also paid for the

right to enjoy the event without “undue” interruption. Take

for instance if the person seated in front of you stands up

for the entire event, blocking your view, screaming and

spilling their drink. All you want to do is sit and enjoy the

performance. Another person may be unable to stand for

long periods. They may have just had surgery, guests with a

disability, or may be tired—any number of reasons.

Thus, facilities generally have adopted the “Mode of the

Crowd” standard. This is the “majority rules” approach. If

CHAPTER EIGHT

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most people are standing during a particular song, to watch

a scoring drive, or to see a shot, then standing is permissible.

Should a person remain standing after this period of time,

this action is considered outside the standard.

The “Wait” rule is another standard or etiquette that is

found at events such as tennis, hockey, and theatrical

performances. It is customary to wait until there’s a

stoppage in play before going in and out of the seating area.

The same is true with the “Quiet” rule. That is, you wait

until the end of a scene or match point to show your

appreciation with applause and other gestures of approval.

Standards of behavior are found in other areas as well, such

as a required dress code to enter certain areas of a facility

like a restaurant or private reception.

Certain attitudes and activities are also governed by these

standards. Most facilities will not tolerate large groups or

gangs who roam about the facility at will, contributing to an

uncontrolled atmosphere, or showing a general lack of

respect for authority.

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ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE

BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

GUEST MAKEUP Demographics

History of crowd

Age group

Ticket demand

PUBLIC SETTING Type of assembly and capacity

Location of event

Purpose and nature of event

Community conflicts

GROUP INVOLVEMENT Support of entertainers

Group's regard for safety

Persuasive power and influence of group

History of act and/or event

ONE-ON-ONE COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTY

Person does not speak the language of your country

What are the customs of that person

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CHARGED UP ATMOSPHERE

Emotions of the crowd

Will there be a delay in opening the gates? (Delayed

gate opening at the WHO concert in Cincinnati in

1979 caused 12 patrons to be stampeded to death.)

UNINHIBITED CUSTOMERS

Unchallenged and uncontrolled patrons

Clusters of groups are free to move about at will

throughout the facility

Gangs and gang activity

NO STANDARD OF BEHAVIOR Patrons are not informed or aware of policies

Policies are not enforced

Prohibited items are secretly brought into the venue

Patrons are standing in the aisles and on the chairs

Lack of respect for authority

CONFLICT OF VALUES A patron's principle on an issue could make them feel as

though a wrong has been inflicted upon them, i.e., babes-in-

arms policy, in which they're unwilling to pay admission for

their child.

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ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

How much alcohol is being consumed over a given

period of time?

The type of crowd consuming alcohol and/or other

drugs

Average age of patrons

See chapter nine that follows on “Responsible Consumption of

Alcohol.”

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CHAPTER NINERESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION

OF ALCOHOL

153

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL Since the mid-80s, sports and entertainment facility

management has recognized that its purpose is to provide a

safe and enjoyable atmosphere for entertainment. Many of

the guests expect to be able to purchase alcoholic beverages

during their event experience. Facilities have made an

assertive attempt to control the sale and consumption of

alcohol by serving only those who are of legal age (21 years

of age and over) and those who drink responsibly. Facility

management also attempts to ensure that those who may

have consumed too much alcohol do not drink and drive—

endangering themselves and other drivers and/or

pedestrians.

Motor vehicle fatalities occurring while drivers are impaired

are among the leading causes of death by automobiles.

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Stiffer laws, such as reduced speed limits on highways, and

the Dram Shop Act, which places more responsibility on

those serving alcohol, have both helped in establishing

alcohol management programs at venues. To help facilities

address the issue of drinking and driving, the (US

Department of Transportation) National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration partnered with several key players in

the sports industry to develop a program called TEAM

(Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management).

The TEAM Coalition is an alliance of professional sports,

entertainment facilities, concessionaires, the beer industry,

broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts, and others

working together to promote responsible drinking and

positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities.

The coalition includes Major League Baseball, the National

Football League, the National Hockey League, the National

Basketball Association, ARAMARK Corporation, the Beer

Institute, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Miller Brewing

Company, Coors Brewing Company, the International

Association of Assembly Managers, the National

Association of Broadcasters, ESPN, ABC Sports, Health

Communications, Inc., and the National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration.

Responsible Consumption of Alcohol

155

Their mission is to provide effective alcohol service training

in public assembly facilities and to promote responsible

alcohol consumption that enhances the entertainment

experience while reducing alcohol-related instances both in

facilities and on surrounding roadways.

DESIGNATED DRIVER

One way TEAM and facilities promote responsible drinking

is through designated driver programs. It works like this:

The person, who will assume the responsibility of caring for

others in their party (family and friends), agrees to drive and

not to drink. The venues with designated driver programs

will provide free refreshments (coffee, tea, soft drinks) to

the person designated. All the driver has to do is sign up and

pledge not to drink alcohol, drive his friends and family

home safely, and ensure that everyone always buckles up.

Once a person is enrolled in the program, they receive some

type of identification, such as a designated driver card,

wristband, or lapel pin. Many facilities have taken this one

step further by adding incentives to their program to entice

people to sign up. These incentives may include a trip to an

All-Star Game, team/facility merchandise, private VIP

tours, meet the players, and more.

During the 2004 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, all

30 Clubs offered their fans the opportunity to be designated

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drivers. Over 160,000 pledged to be designated drivers. As

such, they pledged not to drink alcohol at the game they

attended, and they also pledged to get their friends and

family home safely from the ballpark.

Similarly, all 32 teams of the National Football League

offered designated driver programs to their fans.

Both leagues partnered with TEAM in a promotional

program called “Responsibility Has Its Rewards.” The

promotion consisted of a sweepstakes. Each team randomly

selected one of the designated drivers who pledged at some

point in the season to be the designated driver for the

“season” for that team. If their team played in the

championship game (World Series for MLB and Super Bowl

for NFL), the designated driver for the season received 2

tickets to that game. An All-Star Game trip was also

included with two tickets to the game, roundtrip airfare, and

hotel accommodations.19

STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND TAILGATE SAFETY

A study was recently conducted to determine whether

students were being responsible in regards to alcohol

consumption while attending events. This “2004 Safe

19Source: Jill Pepper, TEAM Executive Director


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Celebration Study” was sponsored as a collaborative effort

between the NCAA, the National Association of State

Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), the

TEAM Coalition, and Anheuser-Busch to encourage and

facilitate safe celebrations before, during, and after games.

This study surveyed 986 college students between the ages

of 21–29 and represented a sampling of colleges and

universities within the NCAA football and basketball

divisions. All participating students had attended at least one

home football or basketball game in the past year.

Results of this survey indicated that 9 out of every 10

college students had tailgated and had behaved responsibly

while at the event. It reinforced the common belief among

facility managers and TEAM Coalition members that the

majority of college students were acting responsibly while at

events. This type of information rarely makes the headlines.

However, we hope that this recent survey may assist in

giving credit where credit is due.

INTOXICATION

Individuals who are intoxicated are sometimes difficult to

deal with. They may act out in many different ways when

intoxicated. Intoxication may cause individuals to become

amorous, belligerent, humorous, or just plain mean. It is

important to remember that not all people who appear

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intoxicated are. They may be suffering from a neurological

or psychiatric disorder. Previous head trauma may also

result in behaviors similar to intoxication. Alternatively, not

all people who are intoxicated may display the typical

warning signs of impairment. Those guests with high

tolerance—defined as the ability to mask the signs of

impairment—are an extra challenge for stadium employees

to identify.

The facility’s alcohol management program will probably

preclude guests from bringing alcoholic beverages into the

facility. This also includes bottles (glass or plastic), cans, or

coolers as well. Often guests will be asked to submit to a

voluntary search upon entry to the building. The guest has

every right to refuse this consent to a voluntary search.

However, the facility may also invoke its rights by refusing

admission. Facilities often post signage explaining their

policies, print notice of this search on the back of the ticket,

and/or staff may provide notice to guests waiting in line for

admission. Notice to patrons may include the need to

discard all alcohol prior to entering the facility. Any

alcoholic beverage that is not purchased through the

concessionaire will be confiscated, and the patron could be

ejected. Further, the concessionaire may refuse to serve

alcoholic beverages to any individual appearing to be

intoxicated.


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Showing proof of age is a requirement for anyone wishing

to purchase alcohol at an event. All guests must have a valid

form of identification (ID), which confirms their age when

requested by the event staff. Acceptable forms of

identification are those issued by the government and may

include a driver’s license, a passport, military ID, or a green

card. If you do not drive would like a personal governmental

issued ID is an acceptable form. Note: Some states will only

accept special ID cards issued in that state. Special ID cards

may be obtained from your state’s Department of Motor

Vehicles. Patrons should also be aware that ID that has

expired is not valid. Further, persons attempting to purchase

alcohol, under the age of 21, with false ID may be charged

with two counts of misdemeanor: 1. As a minor. 2.

Presenting false governmental records.

Underage drinkers and patrons caught passing alcohol to

those underage or individuals appearing to be intoxicated

may be ejected from the facility or held until someone else

in their party can be found who is capable of taking them

home. A record may be kept of the incident, and the

parents/guardian of an underage drinker will most likely be

contacted. The underage drinker may also be turned over to

the police and/or medical personnel.

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Patrons who appear to be underage while possessing alcohol

but cannot produce proof of age may be ejected. Their

parents/guardian may be contacted or the underage patron

may be turned over to police. Similarly, those who exhibit

rowdy, rude, and disruptive behavior may be ejected from

the building or turned over to the police if necessary. Staff

of the facility holding the permit to sell and serve alcohol

can refuse to sell alcohol to any person, at any time, for any

or no reason—even with valid ID and if no intoxication is

evident.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

To promote responsible drinking, many facilities produce

and display videos featuring sports personalities from their

home team promoting responsible alcohol consumption and

safety tips. These videos may promote such messages as

“Seat belts fastened?” “Click it or Ticket,” and “If you are

not sober, pull over.” These messages may be displayed on

the facility’s marquee sign, Jumbotron, traffic message

boards, and on television monitors throughout the facility.

Often servers of alcohol wear buttons with slogans such as

“Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk,” “Who’s

Driving?” and “I Will Not Serve Beer to Minors.” Napkins

and table tents in facility restaurants may also be used to

display similar slogans.


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Additional Alcohol Management Policies

In most facilities, guests may only purchase a maximum of

two alcoholic beverages per transaction—providing the

patron presents a valid ID and they do not appear

intoxicated or suspicious.

Alcohol sales may be shut off whenever the facility deems it

necessary. It is common practice for alcohol sales to be

shut off at the end of the 3rd quarter, seventh inning, end of

the game, or 1 hour prior to the end of a concert (or earlier

should management deem it necessary). Management may

also decide not to sell alcohol at all.

Gone are the days of half-gallon containers. Many facilities

limit the container size to 24, 20, 16, and 12 ounces.

Facility managers have also begun to limit the amount of

time that patrons can be on the property for tailgating.

Some facilities have discontinued serving alcoholic

beverages at night football games. In the 1990s, the

Meadowlands Sports Authority (NJ) made the decision to

discontinue serving alcoholic beverages when intoxicated

fans started fires at the stadium immediately following a

NFL Jets Monday night game that they were hosting against

the Buffalo Bills.

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NCAA rules prohibit the sale of alcohol at NCAA

championship events.

Remember, “Know your limit and drink responsibly.”

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CHAPTER TEN

VENUE RULES & REGULATIONS

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VENUE RULES & REGULATIONS Prior to going to the facility, it’s a good idea for you to

check the facility’s “Use rules and policies,” particularly

since September 11, 2001 following the terrorists attacks on

America.

The following are examples of some of the use rules and

regulations that may be found at a facility:

ITEMS THAT MAY NOT BE BROUGHT INTO A FACILITY

Bottles, cans, coolers, liquid containers, alcoholic

beverages

Illegal substances, fireworks

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Video equipment, cameras,* recording devices,20

camera bags

Large banners/signs/sticks**

Laser pointers, aerosol cans, noise makers

Chains, studded bracelets

Weapons of any type, including pocket knives

Certain types of shoes

Pets (other than seeing eye companions)

Backpacks, oversized bags

Chairs, blankets, and food

*For select events, cameras are not permitted at all,

such as concerts where the artist holds all rights to

their image and likeness. Cameras with a detachable

lens may not be allowed. Video and audio recording

equipment is rarely allowed inside a venue.

**Sticks, banners, and signs may be prohibited as

well.

The facility may also subject you to a search, as permissible

by law. Just as you have a right not to be searched, the

facility also has the right to prohibit your admission to the

20 Cellular phones may soon be banned in venues for the security of its patrons as well as protecting the artist’s (performance) rights to their image and likeness— “NY bans use of cell phones at public performances” By Timothy Williams, Feb. 12, 2003, NEW YORK (AP)]

Venue Rules and Regulations

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venue. Many times the ticket license states that you agree to

abide by all the facility policies and procedures. Thus if you

refuse to be searched, you may not be entitled to a refund.

This is a legal matter, and I would suggest that you check

the laws in your state to determine your rights. (Also see

ticket back language below.)

PROPER BEHAVIOR

Knowing what behavior the facility will tolerate is also a

must. Most venues prohibit such behavior as foul language,

abusiveness/rowdiness, and physical confrontation. This

type of behavior may cause you to be ejected from the

facility and arrested. In some cases, you may not be allowed

to return to the facility for events in the future. (Refer to

Chapter Nine “Standards of Behavior.”)

Standing and cheering along with other guests is acceptable

within reason. Out of respect for others, it’s best not to use

obscene language or gestures. Be careful not to block the

view of others.

Notify the nearest facility representative if you are subjected

to any of the offensive actions described above.

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SIT ONLY IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT

Sit only in your designated seat. It is an inconvenience to

other guests to ask you to move, and this disturbs and

distracts others in the area.

KEEP AISLES CLEAR AT ALL TIMES Fire and safety codes require that stairways be kept clear.

Guests sitting or standing in the aisles or walkways

jeopardize the safety of others, and this action is prohibited.

Entering the playing field, floor, or restricted areas are also

prohibited.

ADMISSION TO THE FACILITY Most facilities require that all guests 24 months of age or

older have a valid event ticket in order to gain admission.

(Some require 12 months and older.) On the other hand,

some events require everyone to have a ticket, regardless of

age, to gain admission to the event.

RETAIN TICKET STUBS In order to have proper claim to your seat, retain your ticket

stub at all times. If you’re going with a friend, make sure you

each have a ticket stub. This allows ushers to verify proper

seat location, and it may be useful in an emergency.


169

EXIT/RE-ENTERING THE FACILITY

Some facilities prohibit pass out and return, except for

medical situations. Colleges have allowed pass out and

return during intermission for many years. However, this is

changing due to the increased number of incidents and the

amount of alcohol consumed while the patron is away from

the building before returning. Smoking breaks are normally

provided in controlled areas. Ask where smoking is allowed.

MOSHING IS NOT PERMITTED

Facilities prohibit Moshing due to the safety of others. Some

facilities issue warnings. Others eject those from the facility

who are found in violation of this rule. If you are ejected,

there’s a good chance you’ll be barred from the facility and

not allowed to return for other events. Further, if you injure

someone, then you can be held liable.

LOITERING AND SOLICITING PROHIBITED

Soliciting of rides, loitering, selling of goods, and the

soliciting of funds or services (including the distribution of

flyers) are all prohibited. The holding of signage that is not

related to the event for which a valid ticket has been

purchased may also be prohibited on the property or in the

immediate vicinity.

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TICKET SCALPING

If you have an extra ticket, and you are trying to resell it, be

aware that you may be prohibited from doing so at the

venue or on their property. It’s a good idea to check with

the facility regarding their rules before attempting to resell

your extra ticket. Some facilities provide a designated area

where you can legally resell your extra ticket(s). Also, some

state laws allow you to resell your ticket for an amount or

percentage over face value. Generally, the maximum resell

amount allowed is $3.00 over the original face value of the

ticket price.

MERCHANDISE Most facilities prohibit the selling of merchandise on the

premises. You should also be aware of illegal Boot Leg

vendors. Often their merchandise is made of inferior quality

and is not endorsed by the performer. Further, if something

is wrong with the item, you have no recourse to get a

replacement or your money back.

TRESPASSING PROHIBITED

Trespassing is when a person enters onto or remains on

property after being officially removed or not having lawful

business there. Only invited guests, those doing business

with the facility, and/or those holding valid event tickets

may enter and remain on the property for the purpose of


171

conducting said business with the facility and/or attending a

scheduled event.

PARKING LOTS AND ROADWAYS

Parking lots are to be used in a safe manner. Ball playing

and/or roller blading in the parking lots and roadways may

be safety hazards and are generally not permitted.

TAILGATING If you plan to tailgate, remember that vehicles may occupy

only one parking space, hence the name “Tailgating.”

PARKING IN LEGAL SPACES Illegal parking on area roadways, medians, grass malls, and

over car lanes may be prohibited. Violators may be ticketed

by local police and/or towed at the owner’s expense. It’s

always advisable to follow the directions of the parking and

traffic agents.

OPEN FIRES The igniting of fires may be prohibited on the property,

except when allowed in grills. Facilities may prohibit the use

of grills on their sidewalks, near buildings with or without

canopies, or in any area where guests or property may be

damaged. Always remember to dispose of hot coals

properly. DON’T place them in plastic containers that will

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melt and burn. DON’T place the grill or hot coals

underneath your vehicle.

DAMAGING OF SHRUBS OR PLANTS AND DEFACEMENT

OF THE FACILITIES

This is when a person cuts, mutilates, or removes trees,

shrubs, flowers, plants, topsoil, or sod located on the

property.

Defacement, removal, or destruction of the surface of the

facility or its structures, appurtenances, recreational facilities,

or property is not allowed. This can get you arrested.

TICKET BACK SAFETY, CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION, AND

OTHER VERBIAGE

Read the fine print. A ticket to an event is a “license” that

can be revoked for breaching its conditions. It also serves to

alert you to safety and other situations. Here’s an example of

ticket back language:

“This ticket is a license subject to the following: WARNING: BE ALERT! SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR FROM PROJECTED, THROWN, HIT OR HURLED OBJECTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EVENT! TICKET HOLDER ASSUMES ALL RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY LOSS OR DAMAGE from or related in any way to the event, whether occurring prior to, during or after the event,


173

including specifically (but not exclusively) to any projected, thrown, hit or hurled objects, whether caused by anyone involved in the event or any spectator, person or condition in the facility or its surroundings, and holder waives and releases all claims arising from any such injury, against the facility and everyone involved in the event and all related companies, employees, contractors, and agents. Any use, unauthorized transmission, account, pictures or reproduction of the event or logo or mark of the facility or anyone or company involved in the event, is prohibited. The holder is prohibited from carrying alcoholic beverages, bottles, cans, coolers, food, projectiles, weaponry of any type, detachable lens cameras and other unauthorized items onto the premises. Pursuant to law, the holder may not resell this ticket at a premium of more than $3.00 over the face value. Ticket may be resold only in the designated resale zone. Holder agrees to comply with the rules and regulations of the facility. Management reserves the right to refuse admission to, eject or bar from future events, any person, or confiscate any ticket and any person whose conduct is deemed by management to be disorderly or who fails to comply with the terms and conditions contained herein, as may be posted, and/or advised. Tickets obtained from sources other than the Facility or other authorized agents may be lost, stolen or counterfeit, and will not be honored. HOLDER ACKNOWLEDGES THE EVENT MAY BE CANCELLED OR RESCHEDULED, and at the discretion of management, holder may be issued a refund or a new ticket to another event. Any refund for this ticket may be obtained at place of purchase. Holder acknowledges that the holder’s image and likeness may be freely used as part of any transmission or reproductions or displayed as a part of the event.”

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ADDITIONAL RULES AND REGULATIONS Additional rules and regulations may be posted or may be

communicated through the facility staff. Again, violation of the

facility’s policies or state/local laws may result in ejection, fines,

and/or prosecution, and violators may be barred from future events

at the facility.

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

PERSONAL EVENT RESPONSIBILITY CHECKLIST

177

Personal Event Responsibilities Checklist

T.A.K.E. USE THE TAKE SYSTEM BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE VENUE

Tell

Tell someone about your plans and leave a copy of

your ticket with them, or write down the exact seating location. (Include the section and row number as well as the seat number.)

Who did you tell?

What is their telephone number?

What is your seat number?

What is the facility’s telephone number?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

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Ask

Ask a friend to attend the event with you and be

your safety buddy. Practice crowd safety tips with your buddy.

Share their information with the person who knows

your plans.

Key List

Clothing and personal protection:

Are you wearing something bright that can easily be seen in the dark?

Do you have a hat or raingear if needed?

Do you have sunglasses and sunscreen?

Do you have a personal alert device with you? (Whistle, flashlight, glow stick)

Do you have water? Do you know the name of the

venue where the performance is to be held?

__________________________ Do you have proper identification?

Seat Type:

Reserved General admission Festival/pit Lawn Accessible

PERSONAL EVENT RESPONSIBILITIES CHECKLIST

179

Seat Location:

Section Row Seat

Do you know upon what level your seats are

located? ______________________

Your Ticket: What date is printed on the ticket? What time is printed on the ticket? Where did you purchase the ticket? What price did you pay?

Medical:

Do you have your medicine? Are you allergic to anything, i.e.,

peanuts, shellfish, penicillin, smoke, latex, etc?

Do you have any medical conditions that may present a problem at the event?

Communication:

Do you have a cell phone or money for a payphone?

Do you have the telephone numbers of family and friends?

Do you have the telephone number of the person picking you up?

Where are you being dropped off and picked up?

Is the event being televised? Time of the event? Where exactly are you and your

buddy meeting should you become separated?

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.

Evaluate

Is this event a rivalry? Are alcohol or illegal drugs been used?

Yes No What is the age range of those attending the

event? Is there tow tuck service there for

assistance, i.e., lockouts, jump-starts, change a flat tire, provide gasoline, and towing? Yes No Any charge

What is the known history of the group or event? Are there any concerns associated with them, their music, acts, and their personal lives? .

S.T.I.L.L. Use the STILL system upon your arrival at the Venue

Stop

At the Venue, stop and talk with security that may

be near you. Become friendly with them. If you arrive before doors are opened, ask about any delays expected. Ask about crowd flow once doors are open.

Assess the crowd. Does it appear to be orderly? Is this a very high profile event?


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Is there a TV crew around that may cause the crowd to rush forward to get on TV?

Is there an avenue of escape should something happen at that moment?

Are tickets still remaining, or is the event sold out?

What is the facility’s pass out and return policy?

Can you get back inside should you exit for any reason?

Has there been a lot of drinking in the parking lots?

Are there police or security assigned to the exterior and parking lots?

Other Other Other

Talk

Talk to Security and those around you and form a

relationship. Ask questions about the band and facility, such as: Is the band going to invite people to come down to the stage? Are they going to throw items (promotional or otherwise) into the audience? Does the band stage dive? This type of information will help you stay alert to potential situations that could cause the crowd to become unruly or charge forward to claim giveaways.

Inquire

Inquire about:

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Exits Safety procedures in your area Evacuation process and procedures What do you do if you are sick,

injured, or need to report something

Location of Medical/first aid Locations of ADA accessible and

family restrooms Ask for the main telephone number

of the venue, then call home or a friend and give that number to them.

What is the performance format and running times, including intermission.

Look

What to Look for:

Alternate exits Escape routes Crowd high density areas The type of surface you will be

standing on Hazardous objects on the floor Persons bringing in prohibited

items Temporary structures (Light, Mixer

towers, etc.) and move away Water stations, restrooms Look for ways to spot your buddy

in the darkness Look to see if you have your

personal alarm Security/Police, EMTS in your area


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With the house light down, can you see the exits?

With the house lights down, can you see security?

Can you get out in a hurry if you have to?

Listen

Listen and observe your surroundings:

Can you hear your buddy easily and clearly?

Can you hear others nearby? Listen to the performer for words

that might excite the crowd, such as let’s go crazy, come on down, let’s tear this place up, or the encouragement to disregard security

Listen for and look for one-on-one confrontations that might spread

Listen for sudden noises that might cause panic in the crowd

Listen for cancellation announcements

Listen for safety tips from the facility

While this is not an exhaustive list, it is a good start. The issues listed here are items that you should be aware of and prepare for. Each public setting is different. Taking a few extra minutes to assess your safety and that of your loved ones is crucial. Visit our website at www.managingcrowds.com or www.bandofwriters.com for more information on crowd safety or to provide a review. We encourage you to share

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your experiences with us so that we can improve crowd safety and survival techniques and help others.

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CHAPTER TWELVETYPES OF CONCERT PROTOCOLS

187

TYPES OF CONCERT PROTOCOLS This section will give you a little insight on how facility

managers classify certain concerts and the variables

associated with each type:

CLASSICAL MUSIC This type of concert is generally attended by an older

audience. Some of the variables associated with this group

are:

Many patrons in this class are afraid of heights.

Patron has issues with walking long distances.

Patrons may have a hard time negotiating steps.

Wheelchair usage is up—often exceeds the

handicap parking requirement.

Patrons are well dressed.

There are a lot of limousines.

Patrons arrive early.

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Per capita is low (the average amount of money

each person spends during the event).

There are few souvenir sales

There are an increased number of slips and falls.

Reserved seating is sold for these shows.

POP

Many patrons in this class are too young to

drive. Thus, there are lots of drop-offs and pick-

ups.

Many facilities offer “Quiet Rooms” where

parents can wait for their children in a quiet and

comfortable setting. This is a free service in

most instances; perhaps you will pay for

parking.

These crowds come in two waves—early and

late.

They buy lots of soft drinks.

There are heavy souvenir sales.

RAPP Many Rapp concert goers attend these events in

groups. This is a night out—date night.

Patrons dress for the occasion.

Rapp groups attract a wide audience, from

children to those 45 years and older.

TYPES OF CONCERTS PROTOCOLS

189

The crowd is made up of a mixture of those

who can drive themselves and those who

cannot.

This group walks the concourse of the facility.

It’s just as much about being seen as it is about

the event.

This group also comes in two waves—early and

late.

Venues may sell alcohol at Rapp shows.

There are heavy souvenir sales.

The artists almost always give autographs during

this type of show. Generally, a public address

announcement is made.

Young men sport their cars at Rapp shows.

They hang around in the parking lots cursing.

ROCK AND ROLL

Rock and Roll draws a mixed audience

depending on the performer.

Patrons dress for a Rock show and usually wear

T-shirts.

Rock bands also attract a wide audience, from


The crowd is made up of a mixture of those

who can drive themselves and those who

cannot.

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Patrons often try to upgrade themselves to

better seats. They try all sorts of tricks to

achieve this objective.

This group also comes in two waves—early and

late.

Venues may sell alcohol at these shows.

There are heavy souvenir sales at these shows.

Underage drinking and drug usage could be a

problem.

Festival Seating may be sold for this type of

show.

RHYTHM AND BLUES

Attendees at Rhythm and Blues concerts are

similar to the classical group. The big difference

is the demographics. The audience is comprised

of mostly African Americans.

The age range for patrons is 25 and older.

There may be a need for wheelchair access and

special requirements.

Most patrons represent the upper class and

come to the concert well dressed.

Drinks of choice are wine and spirits, with very

little beer sold.

Some limousines can be expected.

Late arrivals are common.

TYPES OF CONCERTS PROTOCOLS

191

There are some souvenir sales.

Venues should expect an increased number of

slips and falls.

Reserved seating is sold for these shows.

HEAVY METAL

Metal shows draw an audience of mostly young

males.

Mosh pits are common with metal shows.

Slam Dancing, Body Surfing, and Stage Diving

are all forms of dancing or activities at these

shows.

Drug use and heavy drinking can be an issue

(including underage drinking).

Concert goers wear black leather jackets and

extreme hair styles.

This group stands on chairs, cuts seat cushions,

and frequently defaces property. They respond

to performers requests to act out. Many have

been known to throw objects into the

audience—bottles, cans, fireworks, etc.

Metal groups attracts a wide audience, from


Patrons often try to upgrade themselves to

better seats. Their objective is to try to get on

the floor to jam with others.

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Venues may sell lots of alcohol at these shows.

There are usually heavy souvenir sales.

Festival seating and General Admission may be

sold for this type of show. Mosh Pits are

common.

COUNTRY AND WESTERN

Attendees at country and western shows are

mostly couples.

The audience demographic is mostly white.

The age range is in the 25 and older group.

Western wear is a must for show goers.

The drink of choice is beer. Very little wine or

spirits are sold.

Parking lots are filled with off road vehicles.

Patrons generally arrival on time.

Venues can expect moderate souvenir sales.

There are generally no major issues associated

with these concerts.

Reserved seating is sold for country and western

shows.

193

CHAPTER THIRTEENCASE STUDY

195

CASE STUDY The following is the timeline surrounding the incident at

Sheffield Stadium, Hillsborough, England, April 15, 1989.

On this date 95 persons lost their lives in an over crowded

standing only area within the stadium during a Liverpool vs.

Nottingham Forest soccer match. The purpose of this

accounting is to provide an inside look at the details

involved and the time that it takes to recognize serious life

threatening situations as they are developing. The response

time to incidents and the various HOT Zones (areas of

danger, the impact and impediment of arriving emergency

equipment and/or the lack there of, and the aftermath that

most be considered following disasters associated

therewith.)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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196

PREFACE:

The match between Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest was to start at 3:00 p.m.

Overcrowding was never an issue. At the beginning

of the day, there was a pleasant, carnival atmosphere

outside the stadium.

Out of 24,000 fans, the great majority were not

drunk!

Fans who arrived early had no problem getting in

the stadium.

There were many TV cameras (72 hours of tape)

being monitored by South Yorkshire Police.

At 2:00 p.m., there was a large crowd of people at

the stadium wanting to get in.

South Yorkshire Police lost control. Thousands of

fans arrived 1/2 hour before kick-off. This massive

crowd arriving at the same time slowed the ingress

and made people fear that they would miss the start

of the match. People began to rush the gates.

Within seconds, people lost control over their

movement in the turnstiles and were being crushed

from behind, which necessitated swift action.

WHEN THINGS WENT WRONG

At 2:30 p.m., the facility lost control of the crowd.

The narrow elbow of Lethen’s Lane was filled to

CASE STUDY

197

capacity. 10,000 fans were trying to go through only

7 turnstiles. *Normally, each turnstile can

accommodate 1,000 people per hour. Fans were

being catapulted over the turnstiles. No alternate

crowd control techniques had been planned for.

The police failed to use measures from the 1988

Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest match where they

had a filtering exercise around the gates between

Lethen Lane and the turnstiles to alleviate some of

the pressure built up at the turnstiles. Also, the

facility had checked tickets upon entry in 1988 but

decided not to check them at this event.

By 2:40 p.m., Lethen Lane was in a crisis. 5,000

desperate fans were still trying to get in the stadium

for the 3:00 p.m. kickoff. Chief Superintendent

Dockenfield declined to delay the start of the

match!

At 2:47 p.m., fans began climbing walls to escape

the crush. Police could do little to help the 5,000

people already entrenched in the crowd crush.

Opening additional access points at Gate C and at

the main gate was the only solution available to

avoid death at the turnstiles and relieve pressure.

At 2:52 p.m., the disaster continued. Gate C was

opened, and 2,000 fans rushed through.

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*Unfortunately, the pens had been full since 2:30

p.m.

The previous year, this same tunnel had been sealed

off to prevent people from entering the full pen and

avoid disaster. “Failure to seal the tunnel was a

blunder of the 1st magnitude.” Security had no idea

how many people were already in the pen when

Gate C was opened. Disaster could have been

avoided if the tunnel had been sealed.

At 2:54 p.m., crowd pressure inside the pen became

extreme. Fans begged police to open the gate onto

the pitch. Vital time was lost because police did not

recognize the problem.

By 2:58 p.m., fans were being crushed. They

climbed the 8 feet high spiked fence trying to

escape. Police in the tower assumed they were

dealing with an attempted pitch invasion and

ordered the police to force them back into the pens.

The game started on time at 3:00 p.m.

At 3:03 p.m., people were already dying near the

front. The game continued. There were 500 people

too many in the pen; there were 1,576 people in pen

#3—50% in excess. The density of the crowd was

much higher at the front portion. Only crush

barriers held the crowd back before the next surge.

People could not see what they were stepping on.

CASE STUDY

199

They could have been stepping on humans, and

they would not have known. Nor could they have

done anything about it. They had no control over

their own actions due to the force of the surging

crowd.

At 3:05 p.m., the match stopped. Police still

thought it was a pitch invasion. All available officers

were called to the track in front of the pens. The

fans were invading the pitch in order to escape the

chaos of the pens. The commander in charge was

Mr. Dockenfield. According to reports, he was

concerned for public order, not safety, and called

for dog handlers.

Fans, who had escaped, climbed back up the fence

to try to pull others out. People were also being

pulled to the upper tier. Police called for a fleet of

ambulances. Those who were crushed to death

were maintained in an upright position against the

fence. The pressure of the crowd kept their lifeless

bodies against the fence, unable to fall to the

ground.

At 3:15, Dockenfield cracked under pressure and

blamed the fans for the ordeal. He said that fans

had kicked open the gates.

Fans used signs as stretchers to move bodies and

carry injured patrons to ambulances.

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According to the courts, the main reason for the

incident was the failure of control by the South

Yorkshire Police. Newspaper accounts said they

blamed fans and the club. Such an unrealistic

approach gives cause for anxiety as to whether

lessons have been learned. Fans reported that

walking out of the stadium knowing how many

people were dead was like attending a funeral.

Many ambulances could not get in the stadium to

help due to the number of people rushing the exits.

DISASTER COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED

This disaster may have been avoided if: Better crowd control had been planned

If a study of the physical setup of the venue, space

restrictions imposed by the narrow alley, and had

alternate plans been made to control and redirect

late arrivals.

Had the venue collected and assessed data on the

buying public to determine their demographic

makeup-(Hooligans, first time visitors, regulars,

etc.), as well as the geographical regions by which

they would travel to the venue, would have

provided valuable data into the number of fans

impacting each area of the venue and when.

CASE STUDY

201

Had a plan developed and equipment installed that

would allow the venue to communicate with the

fans on the exterior of the facility.

Tickets were checked to ensure fans entered at the

right location. It this area was known to be limited

in it ability to handle an onslaught of patrons at

peck times.

More check points were put up to ensure fans were

directed accordingly to the areas nearest their

seating section.

The tunnel by Gate C was sealed off

If the start of the game had been delayed

If fans were informed of the extra time they had to

get into the stadium

203

CHAPTER FOUTEEN

INCIDENT TYPES AND STATISTICS

205

INCIDENT TYPES AND STATISTICS Venue managers are serious about violations that occur on

their property. Most facilities employ police officers to

arrest offenders. Some venues, like the Meadowlands and

the Spectrum in Philadelphia, are equipped with holding

cells (jails) at the facility. They also have the local magistrate

on hand during certain events to arraign offenders right at

the property. This system saves time and money. The other

reason for doing this is that some events attract out-of-

towners who may not show up for court if they were issued

a summons.

Persons arraigned may be assigned fines anywhere from

$250 for throwing a paper cup onto the playing field to

thousands of dollars for more serious offenses.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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Below is a list of the most common offenses that occur at

venues.

TYPES OF INCIDENTS

Improper and Abusive Behavior

Offensive and Objectionable Language

Illegal Vending

Field/Floor Jumpers

Altercations

Trespassing and Criminal Trespass

Entering an Unauthorized Area

Motor Vehicle Damage

Nitrous Oxide

Motor Vehicle Accident

Lost/Stolen Tickets

Possession of Stolen Tickets

Ticket Scalping

Possession of Bottles/Cans

Stolen Property

Soliciting (non-ticket)

Dup/Counterfeit Tickets

Possession of Controlled Substance

Possession Stolen Credentials

Fugitive from Justice

Theft

Possession of a Weapon


207

The following charts (Figures C14.1 and C14.2) provide examples of incident ratios per event type at arenas and stadiums. The numbers are categorized as:

The number of events that a facility may host per

year for specific event types.

Specific event types that a facility may host. These

range from professional and armature sports to

Kennel shows to elegant Black tie functions.

The annual total number of people expected to

attend each event type.

An estimated total number of incidents per year for

each event type.

An average number of incidents that may occur per

event.

The average number of incidents per 1,000 people

in attendance (expressed in percentage).

* Note: These figures are from one facility and are NOT representative

of the sports and entertainment industry. They are being provided as an

example for conducting statistical analysis.

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Figure C14.1

Examples of Event Attendance/Incident Ratios Arena – 1995* No. Events

Event Types

Annual Atten- dance

No. Inci- dents

Avg. Inci- dents per Event

Per- centage per 1,000

52 NHL

878,678 123 ** 1 per 3,181.28

.31 per 1,000

42 NBA

680,146 89* 1 per 2,540.51

.39 per 1,000

17 College Basketball

135,700 6 1 per 3,377.96

.296 per 1,000

8 Arena Football

89,591 3 1 per 4,832.04

.207 per 1,000

50 Family Shows

416,222 4 1 per 1,347.486

.74 per 1,000

10 Concerts

135,775 156 1 per 211.92

4.72 per 1,000

6 Ministries

15,848 1 1 to per 11,082.64

.090 per 1,000

185 2,351,960

382 ** 1 per 6,156.96

.16 per 1,000

* Note: These figures are from one facility and are NOT representative of the sports and entertainment industry. They are being provided as an example for conducting statistical analysis.

** Approximately


209

Figure C14.2

Examples of Events Attendance /Incident Ratios - Stadium – 1997 No. Events

Event Types

Annual Atten- dance

No. Inci-dents

Avg. No. Inci- dents per Event

Per- centage Per 1000

11 NFL Football

757,145 238 1 to 3,181.28

.31 ppl. per 1000

10 NFL Football

591,838 233 1 to 2,540.51

.39 ppl. per 1000

4 College Football

185,788 55 approx.

1 to 3,377.96

.296 ppl. per 1000

21 MLS Soccer

362,403 75 approx.

1 to 4,832.04

.207 ppl. per 1000

5 Concerts

282,972 210 approx.

1 to 1,347.486

.74 ppl. per 1000

1 OzzFest

27,550 130 1 to 211.92

4.72 ppl. per 1000

18 Fairs

243,818 22 also 100 lost children

1 to 11,082.64

.090 ppl.. per 1000

4 Drum & Bugle

32,000 3 1 to 10,666.66

.094 ppl. per 1000

2 HS Football Championship

18,000 3 1 to 6,000

.166 ppl. per 1000

76 Total 2,501,514

969 1 to 2,530.13

.39 ppl. per 1000

* Note: These figures are from one facility and are NOT representative of the sports and entertainment industry. They are being provided as an example for conducting statistical analysis.

** Approximately

211

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CROWD DISASTERS

213

CROWD DISASTERS

"There are many examples of poor, and even hazardous,

human environments resulting from a lack of understanding

of the traffic flow relationships and space requirements for

pedestrians. A number of authorities have been using

maximum pedestrian capacity as a basis for design. Yet,

analysis of time-lapse photography of pedestrian traffic flow

on walkways and stairs has shown that capacity is reached

when there is a dense crowding of pedestrians, causing

restricted and uncomfortable locomotion.

Insufficient consideration of human space requirements has

resulted in inadequate design of many areas where

pedestrians may be required to accumulate in large groups.

In some instances, overcrowding of these areas has resulted

in injury and loss of life; Fruin, Pedestrian Planning and Design.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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214

Below is a list of crowd-related disasters around the world

over the past 30 years, as reported by

CrowdDynamics.com. This list however, only represents a

portion of the many incidents that happen each year:

1964 - 300 died in a stampede after a goal was disallowed, Olympic qualifying match. Lima, Peru.

1968 - 74 died when a crowd stampeded after burning paper was thrown onto terraces. Fans headed towards a closed exit and were crushed against the doors. Buenos Aires.

1971 - 66 died when barriers in Ibrox collapsed during a football match. Glasgow, UK.

1974 - 49 trampled to death as crowds broke barriers. Cairo.

1979 - 24 died and 27 injured in a stampede during a light failure. Nigeria.

1981 - 24 died in a stampede as fans rushed to leave the grounds. Piraeus, Greece.

1981 - 38 injured during a crowd surge at Hillsborough Stadium. Sheffield, Great Britain.

1982 - 340 died at European Cup Match. Incident occurred when fans leaving the stadium tried to re-enter after a last minute goal. Moscow, Russia.

1982 - 24 died and 250 injured in a stampede provoked by drunken fans. Cali, Columbia.

1985 - 10 died and 29 injured trying to force their way into a stadium. Mexico City.

1985 - 39 died at Heysel Stadium when riots broke out and a wall collapsed. Brussels.

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215

1988 - 70 died in stampede towards locked exits in a hailstorm. Katmandu, Nepal.

1989 - 95 died, over 400 injured, when police opened gates to alleviate crowding at Sheffield Stadium, Hillsborough, England (UK).

1990 - 1,426 died in stampede during overcrowding of a pedestrian tunnel. Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

1991 - 40 died along fences when fans tried to escape fighting. Orkney, South Africa.

1992 - 50 injured when falling from the upper tier of Maracana Stadium. Part of the fence gave way under the pressure of 150,000 fans awaiting the Brazilian championship final. Rio de Janeiro.

1993 - 21 died in crowd crush incident. The Lan Kwai Fog disaster that took place in Hong Kong in the early hours of January 1, 1993. It was a crush crowd incident, catching thousands of party-goers off-guard and resulted in 21 persons dying. The location (narrow streets and a sloped gradient), poor police planning, and bad weather all played their part in this disaster.

1994 - 270 died in a stampede during a "stoning the Devil" ritual. Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

1996 - 83 died and 180 injured at a World Cup qualifying match. Guatemala City.

1997 - 24 Muslim pilgrims crushed. Mina, Saudi Arabia.


1999 (Jan 15) - 51 Hindus killed and 100 injured in a stampede after part of a shrine collapsed. Over 1.5 million present at ceremony. Kerala, India.

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1999 (May 31) - 53 died, 150 injured, 78 hospitalized when a crowd of 2,500 rushed to get out of the rain at the railway station. Minsk, Belarus.

2000 (March) - Three teenage boys threw a teargas canister into a packed crowd of about 600 youngsters celebrating the end of a school term. Panic caused a rush to escape. However, only one entrance, overcrowding, and other building and fire violations at the club blocked the efforts of many to reach safety. Thirteen students were killed and about 150 injured.

2000 (July) - 26 people injured and 9 died at a concert (Pearl Jam) when crowds slipped and fell in mud at the front of the stage. Roskilde Festival, Denmark.

2000 (July) - 12 people died and scores were injured as police fired teargas into a crowd. 50,000 panicked as they tried to exit the stadium during World Cup tie. Harare National Sports Stadium, South Africa.

2000 (Dec) - Approximately 200 were hurt in a crowd crush incident in the stands of the São Januário stadium during a Brazilian soccer championship match. According to reports, the stadium was visibly oversold, but organizers did not notify safety officials. At one point in the frenzied match, a fight started at the top of one portion of the stadium stands. A weapon was brandished, and people near the fight stampeded, causing a crowd surge and crush at the bottom of the pitch. Many fans were trapped by the security fencing and could not escape.


2001 (March) - 50 died and dozens injured at the - Stoning of the Devil event. Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

2001 (March) - 4 young girls were crushed to death during a signing session of the British band (A1) during mall promotion - Jakarta, India.

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217

2001 (April) - Scores Killed In Pakistani Crowd Crush. At least 36 Muslim pilgrims in Pakistan died when they were crushed to death in a crowd of approximately 100,000 people. The worshipers were waiting on a Saturday night to partake in an annual religious ceremony at a shrine in Pak Patten, about 100 miles from Lahore. Approximately 150 people were also treated for crowd crush injuries at the scene or in hospitals. A door opening delay kept pilgrims waiting for three hours; a narrow street that funneled the worshipers into the shrine and poor crowd management were reasons given for the disaster. When the main door finally opened, worshipers surged forward. Many in the crowd were crushed or trampled, according to reports.

2001 (April) - The initial blame for a devastating crowd crush at a football match at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa was placed on overselling, overcrowding, and poor crowd management, according to local news media accounts. The latest information from Johannesburg was that at least 47 people had died, including women and at least one 12-year-old child. Innumerable people were injured. The stadium had a legal capacity of 68,000 people, but on site estimates put the spectator count at 120,000 for the popular rivalry between the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates. Tragedy was triggered when people with tickets tried to push their way into the already packed stadium, trapping and crushing others in the process, some along a barbed wire security fence.

2001 (May) - 126 people died in crowd stampede - Ghana. Thousands of desperate relatives besieged a morgue in Ghana's capital to search for victims of a soccer stampede that killed at least 126 people in Africa’s worst football tragedy. Authorities promised an inquiry into the disaster, which spectators said was triggered by police firing teargas after fans hurled missiles at the end of Wednesday's game between

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Ghana's two leading teams, arch-rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. It was the soccer-mad continent's third deadly stadium disaster in a month.

2001 (July) - Akashi Crowd Crush Disaster: Preliminary Analysis Points To Poor Planning And Management. 10 people were killed and over 120 were injured. Eight of the ten victims were under the age of 10, and two were in their 70s, according to the Kyodo News. The victims were part of a crowd of well over 150,000 people who were enjoying a fireworks display nearby. Among the major crowd safety flaws that led to the crowd crush and crowd collapse disaster, according to Crowd Management Strategies are: 1) Reliance by organizers on one major egress route for tens of thousands of people. 2) Reliance on an egress route not designed to accommodate the size crowd in attendance. 3) An underestimation of the anticipated event audience size. Therefore, an under assessment of the staffing, services, and demands that would be placed upon the event site. 4) A lack of emergency exits on the walkway. 5) A flawed, poorly executed, or non-existent emergency plan. 6) Failure of a timely response to the initial signs of impending disaster.

2001 (August) - Forty-five fans had to receive medical treatment after they were crushed at a concert featuring Eminem. They were crushed 20 minutes after the Detroit rapper came on stage at the Gig on the Green festival in Glasgow. The show was stopped while police and stewards helped to remove injured fans caught up in the crush. Before the rapper appeared on stage, announcements had been made by festival organizers asking people to stop surging forward. A spokesman for the ambulance service said 45 fans were treated for minor injuries; five were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and two to the city's Victoria Infirmary for observation. A police spokesman said that an overhead helicopter at the concert helped staff monitor the situation for the 30 minutes while the concert was halted. The spokesman

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219

praised Eminem and his band for helping to ease the situation and complying with requests from organizers to ask fans to stop moving forward. He said: "Eminem and his band did all they could to help the situation, and we are grateful for his support." Susan McCarrol, 21, of Glasgow, who was at the sell-out show said: "I was near the front and it was really scary. There was this mad surge of people and they kept moving forward. "You could hear folks say 'get off' and things like that. When it got too bad we just moved out of the way and decided to leave."

2001 (December 18) - Free Christmas Gift Distribution Created Crush. Four people died, including three children, when a poorly planned and managed government sponsored Christmas gift giveaway program for children went awry in Aracaju, Brazil. Forty to forty-five thousand people showed up at a public building for the holiday event. Tens of thousands of people waiting to receive their free gifts were caught in a craze when one of the main gates opened and triggered a surge and crush, according to local news reports. In spite of the deaths, government authorities continued the distribution of toys after order was restored.

2001 (December 22) - Seven died in a disco crowd disaster. Seven pre-teens and teens died in a crowd trampling in Sofia, Bulgaria on Friday night. The victims were between 10 and 14 years old. They were among thousands of young people celebrating the start of the Christmas holiday at the Indigo, the country's largest disco club. Tomas Shumaher, a popular German DJ, headlined the event. From national news media accounts, it appeared that the disaster was triggered by poor crowd management and by entrance stairs that were described as "icy." There were also conflicting reports about a possible structural collapse inside the club. Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 young people were waiting to enter the already crowded club when the entrance doors were "suddenly" opened,

LARRY B. PERKINS

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according to one Bulgarian news wire report. Many in the young crowd likely slipped on the icy stairs as the formerly waiting mass of ticket holders surged forward, toppling people in front of them. Many in the crowd found themselves trapped and then trampled. Suffocation was pronounced the cause of death for the seven killed in the crush. President-elect Georgi Parnanov told the AFP news wire, "Conditions in the disco were primitive and this incident should have been foreseen." An official day of mourning will correspond with the burial of the victims. In the meantime, the Interior Ministry closed all disco clubs in Bulgaria to review current club security and crowd management procedures. Yesterday's tragic outcome was common to public assembly events where patrons waiting to enter a place are not properly organized or processed. The Indigo disco disaster was easily avoidable.

2002 (Jan 8) - Japanese Mall Event Organizers Created Crowd Craze—10 Injured. The Tama Plaza Tokyo Shopping Center in Yokohama, Japan thought they had a good publicity stunt for the first day of the New Year. What they really planned was a classic crowd craze situation that caused injury to at least 10 people, two of whom were sent to a local hospital. The mayhem marketing scheme (a phrase coined by Crowd Management Strategies to describe events that are designed in such a way as to cause disorder for the sake of media publicity) went like this: A promotion offering "lucky bags" ("fukubukuro") containing merchandise more valuable than its retail price was offered to the public by the shopping center on New Year's Day. As a result, a large crowd lined up at the shopping center to obtain the specially priced bags. Anxiety and competitiveness developed in the waiting crowd, as could be anticipated. When the doors of the center opened mid-morning, the shoppers surged forward. The craze caused a crowd collapse as people toppled over each other.

CROWD DISASTERS

221

2002 (July 27) - At least 78 people were killed and more than 115 injured in western Ukraine when a military aircraft crashed into a crowd of spectators at an air show. Thousands of people watched in horror as the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 jet plummeted from the sky. It exploded into flames amongst the crowded stands, in what has become the world's worst air show disaster.

2002 (Sept 24) - Twenty-one children were killed, most suffocated under a pile of bodies, and 47 were hurt when a guardrail gave way in a dark stairwell at a Chinese school during a power blackout, hospital officials said on Tuesday. Police said they had detained seven people, including school officials and a local construction company boss, after the collapse. Beijing. China.


2003 (Feb 18) - At least 21 people were killed and several others critically injured in a scramble to flee a crowded Chicago nightclub after someone released pepper spray or mace. People were reportedly trampled in a rush for the door at the two-story Epitome Night Club. There were more than 1,500 people in the venue when someone released the spray into the air around 2 a.m. Police officer, Ozzie Rodriguez, said: "There was some kind of congestion from within the establishment. People were heading for the door." Medical teams from local hospitals were at the site, along with several ambulances and paramedics. Chicago, Il (USA).

2003 (Feb 19) - Two days after Tuesday's arson attack, 387 people were still listed as missing. More than 120 died. Daegu, South Korea. Investigations Thursday focused on the possibility that human error by train operators may have more than doubled the death toll. Operators allowed the second train, where more than

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70 victims apparently perished, to pull into the blazing underground station even though they knew an earlier train was on fire at the platform, police announced Thursday, citing radio transcripts between the engineer and rail controllers. Officials also hesitated to evacuate the passengers, wasting minutes that could have saved lives, police said. As the train approached the blaze, the driver was waved on by a controller who advised only: “When you enter the Joongang Station, drive carefully. There is a fire.'' Authorities on Thursday said they had identified only 46 of the dead, and 388 people were still unaccounted for. Officials said the number of missing was inflated by double-reporting and other clerical glitches. The arson suspect, Kim Dae-han, 56, has a history of mental illness and was trying to commit suicide, police said. Kim told police, “He decided to die with others in a crowded place, rather than die by himself.'' The suspect, who was hospitalized with light burns, had once threatened to burn a hospital where he received what he considered to be unsatisfactory treatment, local media reported. Subway passengers said he used a cigarette lighter to set fire to a container filled with gasoline or another flammable liquid. Officials said 146 people were injured in the attack, 34 of them seriously. The fire quickly spread through the six-car train. The second train arrived at the station minutes later and was also engulfed in flames. Critics said Tuesday's tragedy revealed problems with the nation's emergency response system and a potential vulnerability to terrorism. Had the train been equipped with fire-resistant seats and floor tiles, many said, it probably would not have burst into flames. An apparent lack of emergency lighting left victims groping in the dark after the lights went out. Roh said Thursday he would instruct officials to inspect the South Korean subway system's safety features and upgrade them if necessary, “ . . . so such an incident never takes place again.” The nationwide network carries 6.5 million passengers daily, and subway officials promised to install

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emergency lighting, increase the number of exit signs, make car interiors flame-resistant, and heighten security.

2003 (Feb 21) - At least 95 people died after a massive fire broke out late today during a rock concert at a club in the eastern US state of Rhode Island, the state's governor said. The governor estimated the number of people inside the small club at around 350 and said the speed with which the fire spread was a major factor behind the heavy death toll. "If you were not out of that building in 30 seconds you didn't have a prayer," he said. He added that the main priority was to identify the remains of those who died. An investigation was underway into how the fire started.

2004 (Oct. 10) - Two people lost their lives last Sunday during chaos in Monrovia, Liberia that followed the Lone Star's 3–0 loss to Senegal. Fans did not accept the defeat and started throwing stones onto the pitch after Senegal scored their third goal. After the game, the visitors and the referee had to be taken away from the stadium under the protection of United Nations troops and their armored personnel carriers. The angry spectators also smashed the cars of Liberian players and threatened their family members.

2004 (Oct. 10) - In Togo, four people were crushed to death following a stampede after Togo's 2006 World Cup qualifier in Lome against Mali on Sunday. The mad dash happened as fans panicked when lights went off just minutes after the game ended. These are the most outstanding cases of violence, which occurred in some African stadiums over the weekend.

225

REFERENCES &

SUGGESTED READING

227

REFERENCES & SUGGESTED READING Berlonghi, Alexander, “Managing a Disaster,” Crowd

Management, July - September, 1995. Fruin, John J., “Crowd Dynamics and Auditorium

Management,” Auditorium News.

Hancock, Ph.D., Don, Gross, T. Scott, and Perkins, CPP, Larry B., “Managing the Crowd,” IAAM Training Video.

Herrick, Julie, “The Role of Police in Facility Security,”

IAAM, 1995. IAAM, Inc. February 1997, Dallas, TX.

Lenz, George and O’Connell, E. Paul, “Woodstock ’94,

Three More Days of Peace,” Crowd Management, October - December, 1994.

Mullen, Keith, “An Interview with Stan Damas,” Crowd

Management, January - March, 1995.

REFERENCES

LARRY B. PERKINS

228

Mulrooney, Prof. Aaron L., “Liability in Public Assembly,” Kent State University.

Perkins, CPP, Larry B., “Crowd Management: In the Eye of the Storm,” 1997. Samuels, Dr. Jack B., Crowd Maintenance: A Realistic and Total Approach. Trimble, Dale and Van Fleet, Fred, VIDATRON

Communications, Inc. Pauls, CPE Jake, “Life Safety Evaluation; What is it? How is it

Used? How is it Misused? Presentation to NFPA Fall Meeting, November 1996.

Connor, Patrick, “Crowd Dynamics,” Legion International. Murray, Sylvester, “Crowd Management,” Report of the Task

Force on Crowd Control and Safety, City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, July 8, 1980.

Pauls, CPE Jake, "Movement of People." (Currently, in the

Second Edition of the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, Chapter 13 in Section 3.)

Bryan, Dr. John, "Behavioral Response to Fire and Smoke,"

SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering 1996.

Kiersh, Edward, “Controlling violence in the grandstands,”

Journal: Police-Magazine, 4, (1), pp. 44-50. 1981. Goldaber, Irving, Powers, Edward P, “The potential for violence

by spectators at sports events,” (eds.) 1976. Moore, T, Journal Citation: Police Journal, V 15, N 2 (April

I992), pp. 99-108.

REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READING

229

Journal: Journal-of-Sport-Psychology, “Spectator moods at an aggressive sports event,” (1981), pp. 217-227.

231

INDEX

233

INDEX

A A fan throw a cup of beer on

Pacers’ Ron Artest, 29 ABC Sports, 154 About the Author, 247 Abrupt change, 85 Abusive behavior, 206 AC/DC, 111 AC/DC concert 3 people died,

36 Access points, 197 Accessible Seating, 133 Acknowledgements, 245 ADA, 133 Advance of the event, 60 Age range, 180, 190, 192 Aggression and aggressive

behavior, 103 Alcohol, 30, 57, 63, 114, 126,

149, 153, 154, 155, 156, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 169, 180, 189, 190, 192

Alcohol Consumption, 149 All-Star Game, 155, 156 Alternative exit,, 97 Ambulance, 218

Anger, as with other emotions, is a form of energy and needs to be released, 28

Animal contests were another type of show, 40

Arches were numbered, 45 Areas of rescue, 134 Arson attack, 222 Asphyxia, 140 Atmosphere, 26, 129, 153, 196 Attendance/Incident ratios -

Arena – 1995*, 208 Augustus Caesar, 39 Awareness and Avoidable

Action, 97

B Balcony, 23 Band, 101 Barricades, 119 Be alert for fans jumping, 120 Ben Wallace, 29, 61, 69 Bi-directional movement, 126 Blocking your view, 145 Blocks the view, 120 Body surf, 119, 131 Boots, 119 Both forces are equally balanced

the energy, 86

INDEX

LARRY B. PERKINS

234

Bouncer, 115 Butt heads, 119 By nature can be dangerous, 118

C Calvin Klein, 60 Carry ID, 96 Case study, 195 Cell phone, 96 Chains, 119 Chains, studded bracelets, 166 Chairs, blankets and food, 166 Chapter nine; Shaping Crowd

behavior. Charge field in celebration or

protest and trap you against an immovable object., 103

Charged up atmosphere, 148 Chest cavity depressed, 24 Churches, graduations, night

clubs, social events, 130 Cincinnati Who concert, 140 Circle, 119 City College in New York, 99 Claim space, 126 Classical music, 187 Clothing and personal

protection, 178 Clothing/Accessories:, 96 Coliseum comfortable, 43 Communicate, 126, 201 Competitive rushing, 140 Compression waves, 138 Concert crowd types, 187 Concert hall, 116 Concert safety speculative, 124 Conflict of values, 148 Confrontations, 183 consider what damages could be

done to other people on the escalator, 90

Conversations of the players, 63 Coors Field, 88 Counterfeit tickets, 206 Country and western, 192 craze, 140 Create some personal space, 101

Crowd control, xvi, 84, 126, 197, 200

Crowd could surge forward, 101 Crowd crush, 24, 217, 218 Crowd demographics, 126 Crowd density, 101 Crowd disasters, 213 CrowdDynamics.com, 214 Crowd management, 27, 35, 84,

145, 217, 219, 220 Crowd out of control, 100 Crowd pressure, 97 Crowd pressure on the chest

cavity, 82 Crowd safety techniques, 77 Crowd that showed up was vastly

different, 56 Crowding, stampeding,

trampling, suffocation, with no avenue of escape, 24

Crowds can build quickly, 137 Crowds increase or decrease

from a few people to thousands in a matter of minutes., 24

Crowds of people, 138 Crowds that surge forward are

the most dangerous, 101 Crowds will either slow down or

speed up abruptly, 85 Crushed to death, 25, 98, 99, 199,

217, 223

D Damage, 206 Damaging of shrubs or plants

and defacement of the facilities, 172

David Stern, 67, 69 Death and Injury Rates, 122 Death in a stairwell, 36 Death rate, 125 Deaths associated with rock

concerts, 122 Deaths per concert, 122, 123 Dedication, xi Defeat and kill the opponent, 40 defusing of volatile situations, 31

INDEX

235

Demark, 37 Denied entry, 59 Density levels, 119 Department of Motor, 159 Designated area, 170 Designated driver, 155, 156 Detachable lens, 166, 174 Detroit Pistons, 61, 69 Detroit, at the Palace of Auburn

Hills, we witnessed one of the worst crowd incidents in US history, 29

Devastating, 82, 217 Diameter, 140 Disaster could have been

avoided, 200 Disconnection of classes, 29 Disneyland, 27 DJ, 115 Do not stand still, 102 Dockenfield, 197, 199 Don't get into the pit, 118 Don't wear spikes, chains or

anything that can get caught or cause harm to yourself and others, 96

Dr. Martens boots, 113 Dram Shop Act, 154 Drinking, 103 Driver’s license, 133, 159 Drivers/fighters were required

by Augustus Caesar to wear Togas, 41

drunken fan, 30

E E2 night club, 99 Early arrivals, 126 Ejected, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 158,

159, 160, 168, 170 Ejected from the facility and

arrested, 168 Elbows, 119 Elton John, 115 Emergency situation, 83 Energy level, 139, 140 Enjoy the experiences, 115 Entering the facility, 169

Epitome night club stampede Victims, 98

Eric Cole, 65 Escalator Equipment and

Procedures, 91 Escalator malfunctioned, 87 Escalator safety, 86 Escalators, 100 ESPN, 68, 154 Evacuation process and

procedures, 182 Event, 126 Ever-changing society, 50 Examples of events attendance,

209 Exit/re-entry, 169 Exits, 97, 98, 182, 183, 200, 215,

218

F Facilities today house more

people, 26 Factors that influence behavioral

problems, 147 False ID, 159 Fan loyalty, 126 Fan/player incident over the past

118 years, 69 Fan/player incidents 1886 to

2004 (118 year History, 70 Fans did not accept the defeat,

25, 223 Fans have always longed to be as

close to the playing field/court as possible, 62

Fans love to take on the identity of their favorite team, 28

Fans panicked, 25, 223 Festival, 125 Festival seating, xvii, 111, 125,

126, 131, 132 Festival/mosh pits, 130 Fig C4.1, 104 Fig. C4.2, 104 Fig. C4.3., 104 Fig. C4.4, 104 Figure C2.1, 70 Figure C3.1., 92

LARRY B. PERKINS

236

Figure C5.1, 121 Figure C5.2, 123 Figure C5.3, 124 Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, 97 Fines, 205 Fingers and hand trapped and

mutilated, 86 Fire and safety codes, 168 Fire spread, 100, 223 Fireworks, 88, 165, 191, 218 First aid, 97, 182 First in line, 97 floor, 120 Floors can become slippery, 85 Flow points, 137 Flying feet, 119 Foot of fresh snow, 54 Force your chest off, 102 Four elements shape crowd

behavior, 137 Free Christmas gift, 219 Freedom of movement, 79, 111 Frenzy, 102 Friendly rivals can become bitter

enemies, 28 Fringe, 119 Fruin, 137, 138, 140, 213, 227 Fruin - Pedestrian Planning and

Design, 213

G Gambling seems to go back to

the beginning of time, 42 General admission, 125, 130 General admission seating, 130 Generation, 126 George Steinbrenner, 63 Giants Stadium, xv, 49, 51, 52,

53, 54, 71 Glasgow, 140, 214, 218 Growing dislike. See Fan/player

violence Guidelines, 126 Gunn Arena, 88

H Hand signals and eye contact,

126 handrails, 89 Hazards, 126 Heavy metal, 191 High-energy crowds, 102, 139,

140 High-energy crowds can create

compression waves, 102 Hills, 100 History of fan and player

violence, 69 holder may not resell this ticket

at a premium of more than $3.00, 174

Hooligans, 200 Hot spots can present dangerous

situations, 77 Hot spots, physical barriers, and

limitations, 77 HOT Zones, 195 How can different types of

surfaces affect crowd control?, 84

How can direction and elevation affect crowd flow?, 85

How do sound and illumination increase a fan’s risk of injury or death?, 83

How does weather create problems?, 84

How long does it take to become asphyxiated / lose consciousness?, 84

Human energy, 27 Human space requirements, 213

I I have witnessed the change, says

social critic Harry Edwards, 30

IAAM, 246 Ice ball, 55 Identification, 155, 159, 178 Identify, 126 If you are not sober, 160

INDEX

237

If you get hurt on the escalator, 90

Illegal parking, 172 In 264 BC the first Gladiatorial

Games, 38 In Salt Lake City, 36 In this new age of the service

economy, 50 In Togo, four people were

crushed to death following a stampede, 25

Incident types and statistics, 205 Indiana Pacers, 29, 61, 68, 69 Indiana Pacers-Detroit Piston’s

NBA basketball game, 29 Individuals all having their own

values, beliefs and backgrounds, 27

Industry trends, 126 Information, vi, ix, 31, 96, 137,

141, 142, 157, 178, 181, 183, 217, 244

Injures, 119 Injuries and deaths by human

hands, 24 Injury, xvi, 26, 66, 78, 83, 86, 87,

90, 117, 123, 124, 126, 173, 213, 220

Internalized defeat and humiliation, 28

Intoxication, xviii, 157 Introduction, 23 Items that may not be brought

into a facility, 165

J Jack Nicholson, 60 Jimmy Connors, 65 Joey Ramone, 116 John J. Fruin, Ph.D, 137 Jostle, 119 Jump, 118

K Keep legs moving within the

crowd and try not to fall, 102

L Laser pointers, 166 Lawn seating, 132 Laws in your state, 167 Legal age, 153 Less dense area, 119 Lethen Lane, 197 Lifeless, 199 Likelihood of a repeat

performance, 59 Lilith McQuoid, 67, 112 Limp Bizkit (LB)., 37 Listen to the performer, 183 Liverpool vs. Nottingham

Forest, 196 Local laws, 126 Loitering and soliciting, 170 Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Willie

Mays, Hank Aaron, 50 Loud and rude behavior, 103

M Maintain your ticket stub, 126 Major space concern, 138 Many gladiators were slaves,

starving common people, 43 Meadowlands, 52, 57, 59, 161,

205, 243 Medical information, 96 Merchandise, 81, 155, 171, 220 Metallica, 111 Ministry, 220 Mode of the crowd, 145 Mosh Pit Diagram, 121 Mosh Pits, 118 Moshing and mosh pits, 111 Moshing is created when people

start to hurl themselves into each other, 117

movement of up to 10 feet, 138 Mr. Jeffery Lange, 58 Muneras, 40 Music, 102 Music being played highly

influences, 117 My helmet saved my life, 90

LARRY B. PERKINS

238

My wife's boss's son was not so lucky, 91

N N Sync, 105 NASCAR, 64 National Championship, 28 National Fire Protection

Association, 80 National Football League (NFL),

51 National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration, 154 National Hockey League, 154 NBA, 29, 30, 51, 61, 62, 64, 69,

208 NBC TV Dateline, 247 NCAA, 157, 162 New Jersey Sports and

Exposition Authority (NJSEA), 54

New Jersey State Police, 58 New York Times, 98, 99 No Standard of Behavior, 148 Noises, 183 North Carolina Criminal Law

and Motor Vehicle Handbook 2003 Edition, 66

Nothing at stake, 27 Nottingham Forest, 195

O Objectionable language, 206 Offenders, 205 Offenses against the Public

Safety, 66 Often young people attending an

event and other gatherings are not aware of the dangers that lurk within crowds., 24

Olympic Games in Greece, 35 Once they are in motion they are

hard to stop, 82 One-On-One Communications

Difficulty, 147 Open fires, 172 Outdoor events, 85

Overcrowding, 79, 120, 213, 215, 216, 217

P Panic, 140 Parking lots and roadways, 171 Pass out and return, 81, 169, 181 Pearl Jam concert, 37 People were killed, 37, 98, 99,

218, 221 Personal alarm, 96 Personal alert device, 178 Personal Event Responsibilities

Checklist, 177 Persons arraigned, 205 Perspective and focus, 77 Philadelphia, 71, 79, 112, 113,

205 Photographers, 65 Playing field, 62, 68, 169, 205 Pockets of mosh pits, 117 Police, 56, 73, 106, 159, 160, 172,

181, 197, 198, 205, 215, 216, 218, 219, 222

Poor health or physical challenge, 83

Pop, 188 Possession of controlled

Substance, 206 Potential trampling, 126 practicing with music blaring at

102 decibels, 126 Preparation before the event, 95 Pressure of a train, 82 Prohibit, x, 97, 162, 166, 168,

169, 170, 171, 172 Prolonged pressure on the chest

the chest cavity can become compressed, 101

Proper Behavior, 168 Proper footwear, 84 Prosecution, 174 Public setting, 147 Purse, 96 Push the red stop bottom at the

top or bottom of the escalator, 92

Pyrotechnics, 131

INDEX

239

Q Quiet rule, 146

R Rapp, 188 Reactions to situations, 26 References & suggested, 227 Reflections, 243 refund, 141 Refunds, 141, 142 Refuse to be searched, 167 Regulations, xviii, xix, 126, 165,

174 relocated, 125 Reserved, 111, 125, 129, 131 Reserved Seat, 129 Responsible drinking, 154, 155,

160 Restricted areas, 169 Retain ticket stubs, 169 Reuters News Service, 122 Revived backstage at the concert,

37 Revoked season tickets, 58 Rhythm and Blues, xix, 190 risking personal injury, 90 Rituals, 41 Rivalries, 103 Riverfront Coliseum, 36 Rock and roll, 189 Rolling Stones Concert, 35 Roman Empire, 38 Ron Artest, 61, 64, 69 Rules and regulations, 174 Rushing, 126

S Search, 125, 158, 166, 217 Security, 31, 37, 57, 85, 89, 96,

98, 100, 104, 114, 119, 133, 139, 166, 180, 181, 183, 216, 217, 220, 223

Self-precautionary steps, 78 Shaping Crowd Behavior, 137 Sheffield Stadium, 37 Shock waves, 138

Shoelaces, 96 Shoes getting caught in the

moving treads, 86 Shoulders, 120 Shoulders of the crowd, 118 Side moving crowds are less

dangerous due to less crowd density, 101

Signs of poor management, 100 Sit on your team's side, 103 Sit only in your assigned seat, 168 skateboard, 91 Skinhead, 115 Slowed movement, it creates a

force., 86 Smoking, xviii, 126, 169 Snowballs, 51, 54, 55, 57, 71 Soccer fans perished, 37 Spectrum, 205 Speculative of incidents, 123 Speed of the train, 82 Spinning in a circle, 117 Sporting Events:, 103 Sports and entertainment facility

management, 153 Spreading your feet apart, 101 Stage, 126 Stage barricades are typically 4

feet high,, 101 Stage Collapses on .38 Special,

105 Stage diving, 191 Stairs, 100 Stakeholder, 63 Stampeding, 24 Standards of behavior, 145, 146 Standing in the aisles, 148, 168 Station Island Club in Rhode

Island, 100 Stay away from fences, 103 Stay within the seating, 103 Steel railing, 140 Stolen tickets, 206 Stop and talk with security, 180 Suffocation, 24 Surfaces, 100 Surfer, 119 Surging Crowds, 101 Survival techniques, 184

LARRY B. PERKINS

240

Survivors of crowd disasters, 140

T Table of contents, xv Tailgating, 161, 172 T-barricade set up, 37 TEAM Coalition, 154, 157 Temporary disabilities, 133 Temporary structures, 100, 104 The Americans with Disabilities

Act (ADA), 133 The Amputee Coalition of

America, 87 The best seats were facing the

Emperor, 44 The Big Day Out, 37 The crowd will either push

forward, push backward, 86 The Elliphtal Coliseum, 38 The Facility Manager, 122 The first Amphitheater (Flavion.,

40 The hazards of festival seating?,

126 The Last Original Novel, 112 The Romans also liked to play

naval games, 41 The sports and entertainment

industry is changing faster, 49 The team score, 103 The team’s victory, 28 Their lives in your hands, 244 There were500 people too many

in the pen, 198 Thrashing, 83, 111 thrilling and chilling, 243 Ticket, 125 Ticket back safety, conditions of

admission and other verbiage, 173

Ticket scalping, 170 Time of expected arrival, 147 Tokens, 45 Tolerate, 146, 168 Tornado, 117 Trampling, 24 Trespassing, xviii, 171, 206

Trespassing and ciminal trespass, 206

Triggered, 24, 217, 218, 219 Trop Theater, 113 Try to get out of flow, 101 Trying to talk to someone only a

few inches, 102 TV stations, 142 Type of event, 126 Type of seating, 125, 130, 132 Types of Seating, 129

U Uncontrolled atmosphere, 146 Underage, 159, 160, 191 Unlike the family atmosphere in

towns, 26 Unpredictability of the weather,

51 Use of grills, 172 Use the STILL system upon your

arrival at the venue, 180 Use the take system before

leaving for the venue, 177

V Vacate the floor, 120 Valid ID, 160, 161 variables, 126 Vehicle fatalities, 124 Venue, xviii, 35, 63, 78, 81, 97,

105, 125, 126, 129, 131, 132, 133, 141, 142, 148, 166, 167, 170, 178, 182, 200, 201, 221

Venue awareness, 97 Venue rules and regulations, 165 Victims, 98, 107, 217, 218, 219,

220, 222 Violence between spectators, 39 Vomitoria, 45

W Wait rule, 146 Warning, ix Weapon, 206 Wear something bright, 96

INDEX

241

Wedding, 23 Wedding hall collapses, 106 What can cause a crowd to get

out of control?, 80 What do you do if you cannot

get up, 102 What factors affect a fan’s ability

to get themselves out of a “crowd crush” situation?, 83

What factors can cause overcrowding?, 79

What impact does energy and pressure have on crowds?, 82

What situations can cause the biggest risk of injury or death?, 78

What to do if hurt?, 126 What to do with young children?,

125 What went wrong, 56 What you wear or don't wear can

be very important, 96 What’s at stake, 27

Wheelchair access, 190 When and where do most

problems occur?, 78 When things went wrong, 196 When you get to the event, be

aware of your surroundings..."), 97

Whitesnake, 111 Why Alternate Routes?, 97 Woodstock, 35 Woodstock 1999 – Photos

Courtesy of the Associated Press, 81, 82

Woodstock reunion concert in Upstate New York, 81

Worshipers, 217

Y Young children, 118 Young people, 24

242

243

MY REFLECTIONS Writing this book has been a real joy for me and a labor of

love. I have always liked writing, and I have been known to

use lots of paper. In fact, the day I left the Meadowlands

after 24 years, as a joke, they cut down a tree and had it

displayed at my going away celebration.

Those who know me know that I’ve been passionate about

the subject of Crowd Management for many years. For me,

it’s fascinating to get into the mindset of crowds and to see

individuals transform from a person to an unknown as they

take on the crowd’s persona. Predicting a crowd’s every

move, as well as keeping them safe, can be a challenge.

Looking up into the stands seeing the faces of 80,000 people

AUTHOR’S REFLECTIONS

LARRY B. PERKINS

244

and hearing their cheers is both thrilling and chilling.

Knowing that you literally have their lives in your hands is a

daunting thought.

I am hopeful that this book will provide you with

information that you can use in your everyday life. At the

very least, I hope that it makes you think about your

surroundings and the safety of those you love.

Thank you for purchasing this book. I wish you the world!

245

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are so many people I would like to acknowledge that

I'm afraid of omitting someone if I tried to list them all

individually. Thus, please know that I deeply appreciate

everyone's support and encouragement in writing this book.

I couldn't have done it without your support.

I would like to thank a few people who have played an

important role in my personal and professional

development: Charlie and Lilly Williams (deceased); Roy and

Lula Perkins (deceased); Toni Perkins; and Lee Morrow.

I would venture to say that everyone has had someone in

their life who has played a pivotal role in shaping their

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LARRY B. PERKINS

246

career or to reach their objective in life., and so have I. To

that end, I would like to acknowledge and thank my

International Association of Assembly Managers family who

have been so willing to share their knowledge and expertise

and who have been so encouraging through the years:

Adonis “Sporty” Jeralds, CFE; Frank Poe; Joe Floreano,

CFE; Lionel Dubay; Al Anti, CFE; Ray Ward, CFE; Jimmy

Earl, CFE; Carol Wallace, CFE; Dexter King, CFE; and Dr.

Don Hancock. I would also like to thank two great

colleagues and friends, Bob Castronovo and Davin Olsen,

who have been so supportive in allowing me the

opportunity to give back to this great industry (IAAM) that

we all love. To my teachers Mrs. Swindale, Mrs. Smith, Mr.

Richards, and Professor Richard Hair for being such good

role models. To my editor, Jean, I can’t thank you enough

for your support and for the many long hours you have put

into this work.

247

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Larry Perkins attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

He’s a former Private Investigator and has held a

Government Top Secret Clearance. He is also a Certified

Protection Professional and Crowd Management

Professional. Mr. Perkins is world renowned for his work in

the field of Crowd Management and Crowd Behavior. He

has written a book and numerous articles on the subject;

conducted hundreds of radio, television, and news

interviews; and has appeared on NBC TV Dateline in a

segment entitled, “Crowd Management; Get Out Alive.”

Larry has returned to his beloved state, North Carolina,

where he makes his home once again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Crowd Safety and Survival

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