SANTA CLARA—The NFL and National Center for Spectator Sports Safety (NCS4) and Security have named Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, the 2017 Facility of Merit.
The award, issued by the professional leagues and the NCAA, acknowledges facilities that operate “above and beyond” normal, day-to-day functions regarding the safety of stadium occupants. Each Facility of Merit recipient has been commended for unique approaches to improving stadium safety and security, opportunities which the staff and personnel of Levi’s Stadium have been assessing consistently.
Body cameras with a live-streaming function have been installed at the stadium by the 49ers management company. The firm partnered with the Santa Clara Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to be able to integrate aircraft, video down link, cyber threat mitigation and suspicious activity reporting across different agencies. Such action will improve the team’s ability to reduce the number of threats, which include the possibility of vehicle intrusion.
Jim Mercurio, the 49ers’ Vice President and Stadium Operations & General Manager of Levi’s Stadium spoke about the management team’s collaboration with law officials:
“We sincerely appreciate this recognition because it comes from our peers and truly celebrates the outstanding law enforcement partners we work with to secure all people and events at Levi’s Stadium. We take pride in our ability to bring together local, state and federal personnel to work in collaboration with private sector partners to test and evaluate some of the most cutting edge and emerging technologies to keep our venue safe and secure.”
The 2017 Facility of Merit Awards presentation, sponsored by Axis Communications, will be held at The University of Southern Mississippi. The event will take place on the second day of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security’s eighth annual conference. The exhibition will be hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, FL on July 11 to July 13.
In total, 10 sports facilities will be acknowledged for their assessment of safety and security matters. This year’s theme is listed as “Building Resiliency in the Sports Safety and Security Industry.” The criteria and recognition of each particular facility are to be determined by each league and organization.
“The National Football League has made a great decision in awarding the San Francisco 49ers organization their annual Safety and Security Facility of Merit Award. From the perspective of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, the organization has engaged in extensive safety and security training, taken innovative steps in technology, and has taken professional leadership for information sharing among members of the sports safety and security industry,” stated NCS4 Director Dr. Lou Marciani.