Metal detectors installed at Reading's Santander Arena and Performing Arts Center

[2DogsBarking]

Because it's so safe to go near Reading unarmed:

"The way that the world is now and the way the industry is, we want to make sure when guests come out to have an enjoyable time that they feel safe and know they're going to have a good time," said David Farrar, general manager of the Santander Arena.

Seventeen metal detectors will be stationed around the arena at all four entrances. Farrar said the added security is becoming an industry standard across the country. Some promoters, like Live Nation and WWE, require metal detectors. Now, guests will walk through the machines in Reading at each event. "It's great to see them taking the proactive approach to everything," said Raelene Grunn, who was buying tickets at the arena Tuesday. Two metal detectors will also be installed at the Santander Performing Arts Center on North Sixth Street. Reading Mayor Wally Scott is also looking to bring the machines to City Hall. On Monday night, the mayor told city council he wants to install a metal detector at the entrance on Washington Street and another one at the door on North Eighth Street.


http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-region...arena/38752340

[RockIsland]

Could the name of that place be any gayer?

Time to send them a gift bag for taking such a proactive approach.

[jthrelf]

Excellent, so now the criminals will have victims going to and from the venues that they know are unarmed! I really doubt they will provide lockers for legally carried firearms.

Also go ahead and install them at city hall, they cannot legally prohibit firearms there.

[donotknowme]

http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=300818

Who owns the Santander arena or the performing arts center?

Wikipedia says Santander arena is owned by Berks County Convention Center Authority. I can't tell if they are gov or not.
http://www.manta.com/c/mbyn6rw/berks...nter-authority
http://www.readingpa.gov/content/ber...nter-authority

From their website:
http://www.santander-arena.com/faqs/

Who owns the Santander Arena, Santander Performing Arts Center and Reading Eagle Theater at the Santander Arena?
All facilities are owned by the Berks County Convention Center Authority, a municipal authority formed by the County of Berks to oversee the recently built Santander Arena and renovated Santander Performing Arts Center, formally the Rajah Shrine Temple.
SMG has been chosen to manage the facilities under the Berks County Convention Center Authority.

[stainless]

We have tix to take the Grandbrats to the last non-playoff game. I hit the link in post 1 and it states they are already installed. I thought it would be in the off season. Guess I'll have to leave the piece in the ride.

Thanks 2dogs.

[alpacaheat]

I was already avoiding Reading, so here's just another reason for the list of why.

[Statkowski]

All facilities are owned by the Berks County Convention Center Authority, a municipal authority formed by the County of Berks to oversee the recently built Santander Arena and renovated Santander Performing Arts Center, formally the Rajah Shrine Temple.

SMG has been chosen to manage the facilities under the Berks County Convention Center Authority.

Didn't they go through this in Pittsburgh with the NRA convention? They ended up having to allow firearms at the county-owned venues.

Being that it's county-owned, does SMG have the lawful authority to prohibit firearms?

[stainless]

Although it is named the Berks County Convention Center Authority the only info it is found on the City of Reading website. From that site:

Mission: To oversee the operation of the Santander Center and Santander Performing Arts Center.

Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of every other Month 7:00 a.m. Santander Center - CEI Lounge

Liaison Hope Parkin, 610-898-7240

Joint authority with the County, incorporated with the State August 29, 1996, City members approved by Bill No. 16-96, June 24, 1996 and County members approved by Ordinance No. 2-96, June 20, 1996.

Council 7 Members 4 Year Term
Date Appointed Date Reappointed Term Expiration
P. Michael Ehlerman (County) (Chair) 6*20/1996 11/01/2012 8/29/2016
Carl Herbein 6/24/1996 12/09/2013 8/29/2017
Albert Boscov (County) 6/20/1996 3/01/2011 8/29/2015
Michael Fiucci 4/17/2000 5/11/2015 8/29/2019
John Ernesto (County) 8/22/2002 8/28/2014 8/29/2018
Burlee Adams 6/10/2002 9/22/2014 8/29/2018
Michele Richards (County) 8/28/2014 8/29/2016 http://www.readingpa.gov/content/ber...thority?page=3

That shows four county reps and three city reps. Meeting Minutes available online only go back to 2009.

From the Santander Arena site:

Who owns the Santander Arena, Santander Performing Arts Center and Reading Eagle Theater at the Santander Arena?
All facilities are owned by the Berks County Convention Center Authority, a municipal authority formed by the County of Berks to oversee the recently built Santander Arena and renovated Santander Performing Arts Center, formally the Rajah Shrine Temple.
SMG has been chosen to manage the facilities under the Berks County Convention Center Authority. http://www.santander-arena.com/faqs/

Also from the Santander Arena site:

Are there prohibited items at the facilities?
The following items are prohibited at our facilities:

Guns, knives or weapons of any kind
Outside food and beverage
Laser pointers
Large bags or backpacks
Recording devices (audio or video)
All patrons are subject to search

Publicly owned and privately managed. Legalities???

[Big Kahuna 19547]

I never knew this and also checked the Giant Center since they also just started metal detectors. I figured it was built by Hershey but found this instead.

Owner Derry Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority
Operator Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company

The Township built it with state funds and Hershey operates it just like SMG does Reading...

[donotknowme]

If it isn't against the law it certainly violates the spirit of the law if gov institutions own these buildings and the operators of them forbid firearms. Similar to the DMV issue. Perhaps TL#### or one of the other legal eagles could throw in their $.04 vs my $.02?

It bothers me that the nfl/baseball stadiums are built with public funds and firearms aren't allowed there. I think anything built with public funds drawn through taxes should be open to firearms.