ST. LOUIS — The MLB playoffs are underway as tens of thousands of fans will file into ballparks on a nightly basis.
But what are stadiums and hosting cities doing to prepare security measures for the playoffs? For starters, they’re not lining up to take more batting practice.
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St. Louis and Busch Stadium are making sure they have plenty of security when its divisional series starts Friday against the winner of Wednesday night’s Cubs-Pirates wild card game. Less than two weeks ago, army veteran Chris Sanna, 42, was shot and paralyzed in downtown St. Louis after a Cardinals game when he and his girlfriend were robbed as they walked back to their car.
“We are beefing up our patrols downtown and also, the chief and I authorized unlimited overtime” for police officers, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay told KMOV.
“We want to make sure when people come down here, they are safe for the game, they can get to their car and go home, metrolink and get home very safely,” Slay continued. “That’s a top priority for us.”
Fans entering Busch Stadium will have to pass through metal detectors at the gates, like every home game, and security cameras are set up around the stadium. Two bomb dogs will also be patrolling.