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Friday May 28, 2004

Holding Israel fest at SBC Park eases security concerns

The overriding goal in staging an event such as “Israel in the Ballpark” is security — a feat that has been accomplished year after year even when the festival was held in the more open and accessible Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.

Holding the event at SBC Park this year, which is on private property, makes security and safety easier than in the past, according to Alan Lavigne, the Jewish Community Relations Council director of security and safety.

For the past several months, Jewish community security professionals, along with local and other law enforcement officials, have been planning for the event.

“We want the public attending on Sunday, June 6, to enjoy themselves in what we expect will be a family-oriented, picnic atmosphere for the entire community,” Lavigne said. “As always with events of this nature, we’re covering all our security fronts.”

A well-coordinated mix of public and private organizations will provide security. Uniformed San Francisco Police Department officers and the stadium’s regular yellow-jacketed security staff will be highly visible both inside and outside the ballpark. Other less conspicuous professional security personnel will augment them. Emergency medical teams will be available as a precaution.

All attendees and participants will enter the stadium through the main gates at Willie Mays Plaza, King at Third streets (behind home plate). No coolers or large backpacks will be allowed.

“This year we are again taking extra security precautions and look forward to a peaceful, festive atmosphere for the event,” Lavigne said.

Israel in the Ballpark

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