Safe standing

I expected to be asked to sit at Villa, given we were up against the segregation zone on left hand side, 3 rows from the back. All var the few front rows were stood, so the Villans to our left, who were all sat, wouldn't gave seen anything much to the right of the goal. I guess they are used to it.

Was impressed with how they handled a know in our section. Far too vocal, on his own amongst families, every minute or so, someone was loudly called a c**t, be it player, official, or anyone he want to rant at. Same targets were also rapists and pedophiles apparently. Eventually someone complained, first steward was told to **************** off, supervisor just smiled at him, asked him to play nice, saying 'I'm being nice to you, please calm down, you are winning so just enjoy the game please' , or words to that effect. Diffused it well, our stewards could learn from such diplomacy
 
RobTrent said:
Because the questions were vetted beforehand?

And I think the security chief should front up and answer any questions.
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A few comments related to this topic:
- We didn't "vet" any questions. We compiled as list of questions for efficiency. Nothing was avoided or ducked. and to reiterate, we opened up the floor to any questions for a long period of time.
- @LewSwimmin you asked me on here recenlty what the impacts have been for things like banning flasks. As we communicated when we put this in place, one of the primary reasons was to reduce flairs/pyro from being brought in. Since the introcution of the policy, we have had ZERO pyro inside vitality and a reduction in attempts to bring in pyro by over 55%. I'd say that is a success. And it was well more than the "one or two ...heads" @red_house mentions above.
-Chris G. is our Operations Director. He is very accesible. Feel free to stop and speak to him on a matchday. Contrary to Vitals, he does not carry a clipboard. :) or Email him at ops@afcb.co.uk.
- Other than flasks and umbrellas, since Chris has been in post, we have not made any changes to our standard operating procedures from years past related to queue searches, pat downs, general security, etc.
- @RobTrent Chris G. has a degree in Risk and Security management. He is well versed in risk assessment. We do not apologise for trying to keep all supporters safe and secure. Chris has said he will come and speak to you directly on Sunday at the match to discuss. Very transparent., He looks forward to it.
- @red_house - Finally, to assure you and using your words, this is part of my remit, I am powerful enough to act. The safety and security operation is paramount for all supporters.

Hope that clarifies the points above. And to be clear, outside of this chain on Vitals, we do not get approached directly about these items in any meaningful way or volume.

Up the Cherries!
 
Jim Frevola said:
A few comments related to this topic:
- We didn't "vet" any questions. We compiled as list of questions for efficiency. Nothing was avoided or ducked. and to reiterate, we opened up the floor to any questions for a long period of time.
- @LewSwimmin you asked me on here recenlty what the impacts have been for things like banning flasks. As we communicated when we put this in place, one of the primary reasons was to reduce flairs/pyro from being brought in. Since the introcution of the policy, we have had ZERO pyro inside vitality and a reduction in attempts to bring in pyro by over 55%. I'd say that is a success. And it was well more than the "one or two ...heads" @red_house mentions above.
-Chris G. is our Operations Director. He is very accesible. Feel free to stop and speak to him on a matchday. Contrary to Vitals, he does not carry a clipboard. :) or Email him at ops@afcb.co.uk.
- Other than flasks and umbrellas, since Chris has been in post, we have not made any changes to our standard operating procedures from years past related to queue searches, pat downs, general security, etc.
- @RobTrent Chris G. has a degree in Risk and Security management. He is well versed in risk assessment. We do not apologise for trying to keep all supporters safe and secure. Chris has said he will come and speak to you directly on Sunday at the match to discuss. Very transparent., He looks forward to it.
- @red_house - Finally, to assure you and using your words, this is part of my remit, I am powerful enough to act. The safety and security operation is paramount for all supporters.

Hope that clarifies the points above. And to be clear, outside of this chain on Vitals, we do not get approached directly about these items in any meaningful way or volume.

Up the Cherries!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply. I look forward to meeting Chris and to understanding why there is such a discrepancy between us and other clubs. Presumably they also want to keep their fans safe.

And I did ask a question about increasing the rail seating shortly after it was implemented.

Edit: If anyone has any questions they would like me to ask please let me know. I will email Chris ahead of meeting him.
 
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A good move by JF coming on here to "explain".

I still feel since jobsworth came on board, now we know he has a degree in Risk and Security but not common sense, we have had the flasks and brollies ban affecting shall I say the older supporter who are hardly the types to bring in flares yet similar bans `are not common in other grounds. To me such procedures should be standard across all grounds.

The topic of delays for various reason , including over zealous security checks,for fans getting in before kick off especially on evening matches has been airbrushed away.

Contrary to what JF thinks since jobsworth has come on board the pre match experience has deteriorated .
 
PS The number 2 in the security area (the empire grows) was at Villa Park on Sunday although I am not sure if he travelled on the coaches or went independently. I sincerely hope he contrasted the security pre match at Villa with Dean Court.
 
Jim Frevola said:
- @LewSwimmin you asked me on here recenlty what the impacts have been for things like banning flasks. As we communicated when we put this in place, one of the primary reasons was to reduce flairs/pyro from being brought in. Since the introcution of the policy, we have had ZERO pyro inside vitality and a reduction in attempts to bring in pyro by over 55%. I'd say that is a success.
Click to expand...
Hi Jim, thanks for acknowledging my recent question to you on here.
What I actually said was "As he is now on here perhaps Jim would like to tell us just how many dangerous objects have been confiscated from home fans this season as a result of these weekly unwarranted intrusions on our privacy. (Brollies not included!!)" and with respect, your posting doesn't actually answer that.
Whilst you have stated a 55% reduction in the attempts to bring in flares, this doesn't really answer my question. Perhaps you would be kind enough to clarify the actual number of flares that people have tried to bring in since the start of the season: the only figure stated is that none have been brought in since the new policy was instigated, and it would also be helpful to know when that started by way of comparison.
 
RobTrent said:
Thank you for the reply. I look forward to meeting Chris and to understanding why there is such a discrepancy between us and other clubs. Presumably they also want to keep their fans safe.

And I did ask a question about increasing the rail seating shortly after it was implemented.

Edit: If anyone has any questions they would like me to ask please let me know. I will email Chris ahead of meeting him.
Click to expand...

Could you ask him why we don't leave a man up the pitch when defending corners? Thanks.
 
Jim Frevola said:
A few comments related to this topic:
- We didn't "vet" any questions. We compiled as list of questions for efficiency. Nothing was avoided or ducked. and to reiterate, we opened up the floor to any questions for a long period of time.
- @LewSwimmin you asked me on here recenlty what the impacts have been for things like banning flasks. As we communicated when we put this in place, one of the primary reasons was to reduce flairs/pyro from being brought in. Since the introcution of the policy, we have had ZERO pyro inside vitality and a reduction in attempts to bring in pyro by over 55%. I'd say that is a success. And it was well more than the "one or two ...heads" @red_house mentions above.
-Chris G. is our Operations Director. He is very accesible. Feel free to stop and speak to him on a matchday. Contrary to Vitals, he does not carry a clipboard. :) or Email him at ops@afcb.co.uk.
- Other than flasks and umbrellas, since Chris has been in post, we have not made any changes to our standard operating procedures from years past related to queue searches, pat downs, general security, etc.
- @RobTrent Chris G. has a degree in Risk and Security management. He is well versed in risk assessment. We do not apologise for trying to keep all supporters safe and secure. Chris has said he will come and speak to you directly on Sunday at the match to discuss. Very transparent., He looks forward to it.
- @red_house - Finally, to assure you and using your words, this is part of my remit, I am powerful enough to act. The safety and security operation is paramount for all supporters.

Hope that clarifies the points above. And to be clear, outside of this chain on Vitals, we do not get approached directly about these items in any meaningful way or volume.

Up the Cherries!
Click to expand...

Thanks Jim I will forward my concerns to Chris G. It's excellent Chris has a degree in risk and security management - what he isn't demonstrating is experience in dealing with football crowds, or experience of having attended football matches as a spectator and observing how other clubs do things . If he does or has done then I'm struggling as to his methods, as are many others on here. Perhaps things are getting lost in translation. For example searching 80 year old grandmothers, asking them to remove hats, searching their handbags - totally disproportionate for any potential risk. Picking on the odd fan stood in the back row obstructing no one, the list is endless and quite petty.

That said lets not spoil things, thanks for taking the time to come on the forum and also for some of the other initiatives happening around the club. I accept that It's important that any dialogue between club employees and fans should be constructive and of course your presence is welcome.
 
LewSwimmin said:
Hi Jim, thanks for acknowledging my recent question to you on here.
What I actually said was "As he is now on here perhaps Jim would like to tell us just how many dangerous objects have been confiscated from home fans this season as a result of these weekly unwarranted intrusions on our privacy. (Brollies not included!!)" and with respect, your posting doesn't actually answer that.
Whilst you have stated a 55% reduction in the attempts to bring in flares, this doesn't really answer my question. Perhaps you would be kind enough to clarify the actual number of flares that people have tried to bring in since the start of the season: the only figure stated is that none have been brought in since the new policy was instigated, and it would also be helpful to know when that started by way of comparison.
Click to expand...
Lew, feel free to email Chris at the email included in my post. He and I would be happy to have you down to the club to talk in person regarding the securing of flares and pyro, and all things stewarding if you like. All relevant stats, policies and procedures.

Let us know a good day for you. See you soon.
Up the Cherries!
 
Simple question, does anyone entering the main entrance of the ground, box holders, corporate visitors etc get searched before being allowed up the stairs ? I've never done the "wine and dine" so just wondered if it was the same for all the ground ( H&S ) or just for us regular fans..............
 
corfe_red said:
Simple question, does anyone entering the main entrance of the ground, box holders, corporate visitors etc get searched before being allowed up the stairs ? I've never done the "wine and dine" so just wondered if it was the same for all the ground ( H&S ) or just for us regular fans..............
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I can speak personally here as my wife comes thru main entrance and she gets checked, her bag reviewed, etc. TBF, I’m not watching every single person at every gate so h
DJ said:
Indeed, was it even a fans forum if someone didn’t ask that question?

And has anyone been polite enough to ask Jim what his favourite cheese is yet? :)
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Hard parmesan
 
2.38 on this video watch the search Jim

Sheffield Wednesday Versus Leeds United last month at Hillsborough. An historic local derby with two teams who's sets of fans absolutely despise each other. In a part of the ground where home fans go to wind up the oppo and when they're also doing some protest thing.

As I said watch the search at 2.38


This is normal by the way. At many grounds we never get searched, neither do home fans, yet we have a completely disproportionate intrusive policy on home fans getting searched no matter age, sex or anything else as far as we can see !
 
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I’m 79 years old, been coming to DC since I was 12. I have never felt so angry at what is happening with regard to the degrading, insulting searching of us “customers”! “Can you take your hat off Sir?” What’s that about?? And this after trudging through the p*****g rain because someone thinks my brolly is a military grade spear! As others have suggested, get the security “Expert” to go to a couple of away games and see how “proper” clubs do security.
And JF, don’t try to tell us you have the same security methods at the main entrance because that’s BS.
 
SlapheadRed said:
I’m 79 years old, been coming to DC since I was 12. I have never felt so angry at what is happening with regard to the degrading, insulting searching of us “customers”! “Can you take your hat off Sir?” What’s that about?? And this after trudging through the p*****g rain because someone thinks my brolly is a military grade spear! As others have suggested, get the security “Expert” to go to a couple of away games and see how “proper” clubs do security.
And JF, don’t try to tell us you have the same security methods at the main entrance because that’s BS.
Click to expand...

I don't think we have the same security measures in the East Stand tbh. Quick pat down and you're in. I've never taken my hat off.
 
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