'This changes everything': True North beefs up MTS Centre security after Manchester attack
Winnipeg Police with True North Sports and Entertainment announced Monday they will be using a bomb-sniffing dog as part of enhanced security measures at the downtown arena after the deadly explosion at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, U.K. Sunday night.
Kevin Donnelly, the senior vice president of venues and entertainment for True North Sports and Entertainment, told reporters they will be enhancing security for the sold-out Red Hot Chili Peppers show Friday night at the MTS Centre.
Donnelly, who ran in the Boston Marathon the year it was bombed, said security is always a priority but that last night's event in the U.K. was different.
"I think this changes everything," Donnelly added.
"We've seen it in malls, we've seen it in train stations, airports, we've seen it at a finish line. These are things that, you want to send the message that we're not a soft target. You want to send a message that we are a fully-staffed and operational-and-aware location," said Donnelly.
Donnelly said staff are fully trained and work closely with the WPS to ensure public security.
"The needle moves and you try to move along with it or you try to stay ahead of it," said Donnelly.
Safety precautions are dynamic and TNSE is always looking to enhance and stay current in their protocols, he said. True North will also reach out to Live Nation, the promoter involved in the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester which is also handling the Chili Peppers' concert here on Friday.
Const. Rob Carver said police don't typically like to disclose their efforts relating to security enhancements but that police will be adding more than the bomb-sniffing dog not only on Friday but also likely from now on.
"I think every time on the international landscape an event like this occurs, security changes start to get implemented and often they are never ratcheted down. Twenty years ago the thought of metal detectors at a public event were unheard of. Now the thought of having a public event where they aren't [used] is unheard of. I think that's part of the security landscape we're going to see forever," Carver.
Carver said security analysis and preparation for the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg this July is ongoing and didn't have additional details.
TNSE said police K-9 units have been used at other shows at the MTS Centre before but the announcement that they will be at the concert on Friday is a direct result of the attack at the Manchester arena. TNSE also said other security protocols set by the NHL and other partners are already in place, such as the use of metal detectors and the new re-entry policy.
Donnelly acknowledges that venues can never be incident-proof but every effort is made to ensure safety and security.
"Attending events at the MTS Centre is a safe occurrence. It's an opportunity for people to come and enjoy [themselves] in the most safe and secure environment that we can possibly provide," said Donnelly.
