Heinz Hall to start security screening in January
Jeremy Reynolds
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
jreynolds@post-gazette.com
Dec 18, 2019
4:44 PM
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has announced that security screening will begin on patrons at Heinz Hall on Jan. 17.
The security measures include screening equipment currently in use at Lincoln Center in New York City and many other venues. They will apply to PSO concerts and other events at the Downtown venue.
The symphony will implement a “free-flow” system created by Evolv Technology of Boston. Instead of metal detectors and bag checks, Evolv scanners capture images as ticket holders enter the hall and scan for weapons. Heinz Hall will not retain the images, officials said.
Ticket buyers will be able to walk through the new scanners unimpeded, keeping coats and bags on their person. There will not be a bag search, though the symphony reserves the right to check patrons’ bags as they enter the hall as is current policy.
In October 2018, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust implemented security measures for its Downtown venues including the Benedum Center, Byham Theater, August Wilson Center and O’Reilly Theater. At those venues, security measures include metal detectors and bag inspections that have increased the amount of time it takes to get into the theaters.
The PSO, which owns Heinz Hall, has been in discussions about implementing security measures for more than a year but has waited until a technology appeared that would not inconvenience ticket buyers.
“We take safety very seriously and are implementing additional measures to continue to assure that we provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all,” Melia Tourangeau, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, said in a statement.
For patrons using wheelchairs or ones who do not wish to pass through the scanners, personnel will be on hand to search bags and use wands to check them, as is the case at Cultural Trust-owned venues.
Why now? Added security is becoming commonplace at cultural institutions around the country and is required for certain companies like Disney Theatrical Group and Live Nation. Touring shows continue to reserve the right to require additional security measures.
In a statement, the orchestra encouraged Heinz Hall patrons to begin arriving earlier after Jan. 17. Doors open at least an hour before all events at Heinz Hall.
Kevin Wilkes, the trust’s chief security officer, said the technology being rolled out at Heinz Hall was not available when screening began in 2018 at trust-owned venues. If it works as promised, he said the trust will explore using the technology at its Downtown theaters.
He added that the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has screened more than 700,000 theatergoers since the rollout and has confiscated items ranging from knives and stun guns to cans of pepper spray and bottles of wine.
Jeremy Reynolds:
jreynolds@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1634; twitter: @Reynolds_PG.
