University to review security protocol after rowdy concert

10/20/05 - The University of Rhode Island will review security procedures in the wake of Tuesday's My Chemical Romance concert that sent two people to the hospital and resulted in one arrest. "We are concerned about some of the protocols for these events and a meeting has been scheduled for the various parties involved this Friday," URI Campus Police Maj. Stephen Baker said.

He confirmed URI police made one arrest and ejected at least 20 people during the concert for unruly conduct.

A URI police officer arrested Jonathan Lavigne, 19, about 8:11 p.m. when he witnessed Lavigne wrestling with an event staff worker, Baker said. After Lavigne refused to follow the officer's commands, police arrested him and charged him with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Baker said he was unsure if alcohol played a role in the arrest, but said, "I think it's safe to say there was alcohol involved in some cases."

In an e-mail to the Cigar, Ryan Center General Manager Terry Butler said in addition to the arrest, two people were transported to the hospital.

"One woman suffered a foot injury. The other individual was a Ryan Center event staff member, who fell ill during the event," Butler said.

Butler said that Global Spectrum staff also distributed three cases of water to apparently dehydrated fans standing near the barricade at the request of the band's security manager and moved the Emergency Medical Services staging area to the event level.

Baker said most injuries occurred in the mosh pit area.

"Our primary concern is also the activity of this so called 'mosh pit,'" he said. "We're more concerned with the way people were getting injured and how we deal with that."

Following the concert organized by the Student Entertainment Committee, questions arose about how security personnel who worked for Global Spectrum - the company that manages the arena - handled the unruly attendees, particularly those in the mosh pit.

"There were a number of people who were removed by event staff and [Global Spectrum] might ask for our assistance in removing them because of some of their behavior on the floor," Baker said.

SEC Chairwoman Leigh Persico said SEC worked closely with Global Spectrum to ensure security but the campus police and Global Spectrum were ultimately responsible for security.

"We work to see every one of our concerts go off as a sellout with no complications," Persico said. "Unfortunately, there were some complications at last night's event in terms of security."

Persico added that security personnel removed at least one student who was carrying a weapon.

Butler, who works for Global Spectrum, defended his security guards.

"I have not received one complaint as of this writing," Bulter wrote yesterday evening.

He also downplayed the upcoming security review.

"It is not unusual to meet to discuss security or safety issues regarding public events and we continue to meet with the appropriate people to do so," he said.

The SEC was not invited to Friday's meeting about security protocols but Persico said the group would continue to review its procedures.

"The committee does help with security at the event and SEC would like to work closer with Global Spectrum to make sure our needs are met," she said.

Persico did not blame the type of crowd for the incidents and said problems can occur at any event. She did attribute part of the problem to comments made by band members.

"Something that we can't control is things bands say on stage and there were some comments from the band about [expletive] things up," Persico said.

Currently, protocol for such events includes creating an incident command system with the highest-ranking officer in charge, Baker said. URI police Capt. John Carey was working traffic detail for the concert and was the highest-ranked officer present.

Baker declined to offer specifics regarding command decisions saying he was waiting for the final report but his concerns rested mostly with the actions of security personnel, not police.

"There was some issues with the band personnel that got involved," he said. "We certainty have no issues with the South Kingstown police."

Butler said Global Spectrum took a number of steps before the event including coordinating with event managers, SEC Advisor Michael Nolfe and SEC Concert Chairman Mike Fox and adding additional staff at the barricade for crowd surfers.

"[The barricade staff] received praise from the tour manager for their performance," Butler said.