BJCC enhances safety measures ahead of amphitheater opening

'Safety is a top priority': BJCC enhances safety measures ahead of amphitheater opening

GUY. ALL RIGHT. JASON. WELL, RIGHT NOW LEADERS AT THE BJCC ARE IMPLEMENTING A BRAND NEW PLAN TO KEEP CONCERTGOERS SAFE THIS SUMMER. THE NEW INITIATIVE COMES JUST WEEKS BEFORE THE COMPLEX’S LATEST EXPANSION OPENS TO THE PUBLIC. THE COCA-COLA AMPHITHEATER IS SET TO HOST ITS FIRST LIVE EVENT NEXT MONTH, AND ONCE IT’S IN FULL SWING, IT COULD MEAN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE SAME AREA OF THE CONCERT HALL, THE AMPHITHEATER AND LEGACY ARENA ARE PACKED OUT AT THE SAME TIME. �� 13 S JON PAEPCKE SHOWS US WHAT THE UPGRADES OUTSIDE THE VENUE WILL MEAN FOR NEIGHBORING HOMEOWNERS. IT’S GIVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD. SOME HOPE. AFTER RENOVATING THIS DRUID HILLS HOME TWO BLOCKS FROM THE COCA-COLA AMPHITHEATER, FRANK THOMAS HAS SEEN A CHANGE IN THE HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD. BEEFED UP POLICE PATROLS HAVE HELPED CRACK DOWN ON LOITERING AND ROADSIDE IMPROVEMENTS OUTSIDE THE $50 MILLION MUSIC VENUE ARE GROWING BY THE DAY. WE’VE GOT LANDSCAPING, YOU KNOW, WE’VE GOT NEW SIDEWALKS, YOU KNOW, WE’VE GOT EVERYTHING THAT LEADS TO THE AMPHITHEATER IS NEW. WHILE THOMAS AND HIS FAMILY FEEL COMPLETELY SAFE IN THE AREA, THE BJCC IS TAKING EXTRA MEASURES TO ENSURE CONCERTGOERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME COMFORT LEVEL. THAT’S WHY THEY’VE RECRUITED ONE OF BIRMINGHAM’S FORMER TOP CRIME FIGHTERS TO TWEAK THEIR PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN. WORKING WITH FORMER POLICE CHIEF ROPER TO ASSIST US IN KIND OF REFINING, REVIEWING, TWEAKING, DEVELOPING THIS PLAN. AND IT WILL CONSTANTLY EVOLVE. TED SNYDER SAYS DRUID HILLS IN THE AREA NEAR THE BJCC ARE STATISTICALLY SAFE, A REALITY. THOMAS CLAIMS HE LIVES EVERY DAY AND HOPES THE NEW PLAN WILL HELP REINFORCE, ALONG WITH THE PUSH FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. I THINK THAT WILL PUT SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE RESERVATIONS AT A LITTLE MORE EASE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I THINK THE PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARE OKAY WITH WHAT WE SEE. THE MAIN CONTRACTOR IS EXPECTED TO TURN OVER THE VENUE TO LIVE NATION, WHO WILL MANAGE IT BY THE END OF THE MONTH. FROM THERE, THEY WILL PUT THEIR FINAL CONCERT HOSTING TOUCHES ON IT IN TIME FOR MATT RIFE TO TAKE THE STAGE ONE MONTH FROM TODAY.

'Safety is a top priority': BJCC enhances safety measures ahead of amphitheater opening

The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex aims to ensure safety during public events this summer. The BJCC plans to upgrade its public safety plans, reassuring visitors as they enjoy public events.The BJCC is working with former Birmingham police chief A.C. Roper to upgrade the plan.They're looking to adjust security, transportation and even their response to bad weather.BJCC Executive Director Tad Snider says people shouldn't have to worry about their safety while attending public events.“Take that same approach we have now: You come to a show at the BJCC now, you see police cars on the corner, you see visible signs of that reassuring presence, and we're going to take that same feel, and it's going to be around the amphitheater as well,�� stated Snider.>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from �� 13Frank Thomas, a resident of Druid Hills, expressed optimism about the changes."It's giving the neighborhood some hope," Thomas said.After renovating his home two blocks from the amphitheater, Thomas has noticed improvements in the historic neighborhood, including increased police patrols and roadside enhancements around the $50 million music venue. "We've got landscaping, you know, we've got new sidewalks. You know, we've got everything that leads to the amphitheater, it's new," Thomas said.Snider noted that Druid Hills and the area near the BJCC are statistically safe, a reality Thomas experiences daily and hopes the new safety plan will reinforce. "Along with the push for public safety, I think that'll put some people that have reservations at a little more ease, the neighborhood are okay with what we see," Thomas said.While Thomas and his family feel safe, the BJCC is taking additional steps to ensure concert-goers share that comfort. Comedian Matt Rife will be the first act to take the stage at the new theatre. He’s expected to perform on June 22. You can get tickets here. >> �� 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex aims to ensure safety during public events this summer. The BJCC plans to upgrade its public safety plans, reassuring visitors as they enjoy public events.

The BJCC is working with former Birmingham police chief A.C. Roper to upgrade the plan.

They're looking to adjust security, transportation and even their response to bad weather.

BJCC Executive Director Tad Snider says people shouldn't have to worry about their safety while attending public events.

“Take that same approach we have now: You come to a show at the BJCC now, you see police cars on the corner, you see visible signs of that reassuring presence, and we're going to take that same feel, and it's going to be around the amphitheater as well,�� stated Snider.

>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from �� 13

Frank Thomas, a resident of Druid Hills, expressed optimism about the changes.

"It's giving the neighborhood some hope," Thomas said.

After renovating his home two blocks from the amphitheater, Thomas has noticed improvements in the historic neighborhood, including increased police patrols and roadside enhancements around the $50 million music venue.

"We've got landscaping, you know, we've got new sidewalks. You know, we've got everything that leads to the amphitheater, it's new," Thomas said.

Snider noted that Druid Hills and the area near the BJCC are statistically safe, a reality Thomas experiences daily and hopes the new safety plan will reinforce.

"Along with the push for public safety, I think that'll put some people that have reservations at a little more ease, the neighborhood are okay with what we see," Thomas said.

While Thomas and his family feel safe, the BJCC is taking additional steps to ensure concert-goers share that comfort.

Comedian Matt Rife will be the first act to take the stage at the new theatre. He’s expected to perform on June 22. You can get tickets .

>> �� 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free

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'Safety is a top priority': BJCC enhances safety measures ahead of amphitheater opening

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