ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES ADDED TO 2013 US OPEN
Guests Will Need to Proceed through Magnometers upon Entry to the Grounds of the
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Policy Begins on First Day of Tournament Monday, August 26
FLUSHING, N.Y., August 24, 2013 – The USTA today announced that new security measures have been added to the 2013 US Open. Guests will need to proceed through magnometers upon entering the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Center. Fans should anticipate slight delays upon entering the grounds. Once on the grounds, security procedures will remain the same as previous years for entry to all stadiums, buildings and outer courts.
“We reassess our security procedures each year and work very closely with all law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal level when building our security plan for the tournament,” said Mike Rodriguez, US Open Director of Security. “We ask for the fans patience and understanding as it relates to these new procedures.”
US OPEN SECURITY PROCEDURES
Safety is one of the highest priorities at the US Open, and the USTA will continue to take every reasonable step to ensure the safety of everyone entering the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center gates. The USTA will once again be implementing several important security measures in conjunction with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies:
1. We encourage fans to arrive early to avoid delays and help speed the entry of all spectators.
2. All fans will go through a screening process that will now include magnometers and wanding before passing through the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center entry gates.
3. There will be a limit of one bag per person admitted onto the grounds.
4. All bags are subject to search and cannot be larger than 12″W x 12″H x 16″L.
5. There will be no bag storage on the grounds. For a nominal charge, there is a bag storage facility outside the grounds.
6. Speed lines for those fans without bags will be available at all gates.
7. The following items are prohibited and MAY NOT be brought onto the premises:
· Backpacks
· Hard coolers or like containers
· Sealed packages of any kind
· Bottles or cans (glass or metal)
· Aerosol cans or noisemaking devices
· Alcohol
· Video cameras or recording devices
· Computers or laptops
· Food (except in limited quantities, or for medical, dietary or infant purposes)
· Weapons
· Animals (unless a service animal)
· Flags, banners or signs
· Any materials constituting unauthorized advertising or promotion
· Laser pointing devices
· Tennis racquets
· Any other items deemed inappropriate or dangerous by US Open personnel, in
their sole discretion