This August’s US Open is set to take place in Flushing Meadows, Queens. While tennis fans have been anticipating the tournament for months, many of them, along with the event’s players have been put on edge as a result of recent terrorist attack rumors. There have been reports that the popular tennis tournament could possibly be the target of the infamous terrorist group Al Qaeda.
Many have criticized Inspire magazine for tipping malicious terrorist groups off as to where the best places would be to plant and explode a bomb. The New York City Police Department’s director of intelligence analysis, Rebecca Weiner, first reported that the magazine contained controversial material regarding the most efficient way to execute a terrorist attack on the tennis tournament. She recently revealed the information in a briefing for the city’s private security community. The magazine also lists Washington D.C. And Virginia as possible terrorist targets as well. Yet Weiner calmed some nerves by indicating that the NYPD does not know of any particular threats on the US Open.
Security At US Open in Flushing, NY
TimeLox has installed DC-One electronic door locks on each hospitality suite at the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (NTC) in Flushing, NY. DC-One is a dual-card (magnetic stripe and smartcard) system that allows hotels to enjoy the unique advantages that each technology offers, while maximizing security for both the property and guests. Combining the economy and reliability of magnetic cards with the flexibility of smartcard technology, DC-One not only makes hotel staff functions easier to perform, but also decreases the overall workload.
What US Open Attendees Need to Know
Tournament goers should be aware that US Open officials take security very seriously. They take significant and extensive steps to maximize the safety of the facility, the fans and the players. Everyone who enters the tournament site through the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center entryways should show up before play actually begins as there could be some delays.
Every fan will be thoroughly screened before being allowed to pass through these entry gates. Tournament goers can only bring a single bag into the tournament stands. These bags can be searched by US Open security staff and city police officers at any time during the tournament. The bags must be smaller than 12 inches in width, 12 inches in height an 16 inches in length. The bags can’t be stored anywhere on the facility’s grounds. Fans will only be able to access a special bag storage space that is located outside of the stadium if they are willing to pay a fee.
Tournament officials recommend attending the event without a bag to expedite the entry process. There will be separate “speed line” entryways made available for fans who choose to attend the tournament without a bag.
There is a specific list of items that will not be allowed into the tournament. These include hard coolers or containers, noise making devices, alcohol, aerosol cans, backpacks, bottles, cans, anything made of glass or metal, sealed packages of any sort, video cameras or other recording devices, laptops, tablets or any other computers, food beyond very small quantities, pets, weapons, tennis racquets, laser pointers, signs, banners, flags and anything that constitutes an unapproved promotion or advertisement.
US Open security staff members are also allowed to bar fans from entering the facility with any other items that they consider to be dangerous or inappropriate. It is important to note that food required for babies or individuals with specific medical conditions will be allowed. While pets are not permitted, service animals will be allowed for disabled individuals.
