Bank of America stadium implements new security plan

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Getting into the Bank of America stadium will soon feel a lot more like going through security at the airport.

The Carolina Panthers said they’re putting a new security plan into effect in time for tens of thousands of fans to attend a major soccer match at the end of the month.

Ninety-five new walk-though scanners are being set up around the stadium to provide a more intensive security check for every fan.

“The best we can do is harden the target. That’s the number one thing. Then try to identify those people that might want to hurt us,” said Lance Emory, the Panthers’ director of risk management.

The team said it’s enhancing security both inside and outside the stadium.

Security expert Chris Swecker, who was once the No. 3 man in the FBI, said widening the net of surveillance is critical to thwarting attacks.

“We have to protect the perimeter as well, because the richest source of targets are those waiting to get into security. They’re close together, they’re very much compressed, a large number of people. That’s what they’re looking for,” he said.

With that in mind, the Panthers have doubled the amount of video surveillance monitoring activity at the stadium and practice fields.

Eight teams of highly-trained bomb sniffing dogs will also patrol crowds outside the stadium. The Panthers said they hope the new measures won’t make fans wait longer, but admit game days will feel different.

“We’re going to be a little more locked down,” Emory said. “Not any less friendly, but a little more locked down in the execution of our security duties."

Cox Media Group