How the security team at Comic-Con works to keep fans safe

SAN DIEGO >> Much like the fictional superheroes who work together to keep the world safe, a real-life team of public safety, city, county and federal agencies, along with Comic-Con Inteational officials, have joined forces to keep a watchful eye over the nearly 200,000 comic book and pop culture enthusiasts expected to converge on San Diego for this year’s event.

“Security is of paramount importance to Comic-Con,” said David Glanzer, spokesman for SDCC. “And while we don’t discuss specifics of security at Comic-Con, we have a great relationship and work very closely with the San Diego Police Department and other law enforcement officials.”

Inteationals and domestic incidents, like the recent attack in Nice, France Thursday and mass shootings such as those in San Beardino, Orlando and Dallas, have colored the way local law enforcement and SDCC officials plan for the event.

“Even though these unfortunate incidents occurred, we’re ready for these type of incidents and take them into consideration for the plaing process,” said Lt. Paul Coelly with the San Diego Police. “We will have numerous officers in uniform on foot, on bikes and in patrol cars and helicopters. We’ll also have a large [number of] undercover officers to make it was a safe and successful event.”

Since its inception in 1970, the massive event has grown exponentially over the years — swelling to 167,000 attendees last year, according to SDCC officials. It’s become so large that many attractions have spilled out of the convention center and have taken over the surrounding area including Petco Park and a good portion of the Gaslamp Quarter, which has choked the sidewalks and walkways with comic-culture fans of all ages.

“Comic-con has been growing over the years, and as a result we’ve been increasing the number of law enforcement [officers],” said Coelly.

While some worry the large gathering could make SDCC a target for an attack, retuing SDCC attendee Allen Vasquez, 27, of San Beardino says he is not conceed.

“I do feel safe because of the (large) police presence there,” said Vasquez noting in year’s past he was impressed with the number of officers monitoring the event. The young father added he felt a higher level of security at the San Diego event than at some amusement parks like Disneyland.

Nearly a year before large San Diego events like Comic-Con, Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game and the city’s aual Rock N’ Roll Marathon, police and organizers begin meeting to discuss their security plan.

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One of the major components of the safety plan is the security of the city’s mass transit system.

Thousands of attendees use the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, especially its trolley, which makes a stop directly in front of the San Diego Convention Center where SDCC is being held from July 20 to the 24.

“Last year, we carried 280,000 extra trips,” said Rob Schupp, spokesman for the SDMTS.

Nearly 200 armed transit officers and TSA-trained K9 units will be deployed along transit routes and platforms, he said.

“These are bomb-sniffing dogs,” Schupp said. With all of these incidents around the world, we take safety very serious.”

According to both Schupp and Coelly, the approach to safety became more focused after the Boston Marathon bombing April 15, 2013.

“Adjustments were made after the Boston Marathon to make sure there were enough safeguards,” Coelly said, including conducting regular explosive sweeps of large areas.

Authorities also ask attendees to do their part by notifying officials if they see anything out of the ordinary.

“For an event like Comic-Con, it’s a little bit tougher because you have people all dressed up in character,” said Schupp. “But if anything out there doesn’t look right, people should notify someone or call 911.”

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