The San Francisco 49ers were notified on Wednesday, that Levi’s Stadium has been selected as the 2017 NFL Facility of Merit by the National Football League and the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4). This award, selected by each professional league and the NCAA, recognizes a facility that has performed above and beyond normal operations to demonstrate an innovative approach to enhancing safety and security.  

“The challenge of securing venues in this day and age requires stadium operators to utilize advanced technology and all available resources to ensure total collaboration between security forces,” said Cathy Lanier, NFL Senior Vice President of Security. “Jim and his team are successfully leveraging the benefits of a state-of-the-art building to create a model partnership between a stadium manager and its law enforcement partners. Innovation is the key to our success in the future.”

Levi’s Stadium and its personnel are consistently evaluating opportunities to enhance the safety and security of its guests and staff. The 49ers management company recently placed body cameras with live streaming capabilities on event security staff and guest service representatives, allowing for enhanced strategic perspective and situational awareness.

The organization also worked with the Santa Clara Police Department and state and federal law enforcement agencies to develop a real-time intelligence fusion center allowing for the seamless integration of law enforcement resources including aircraft, video down link, cyber threat mitigation and suspicious activity reporting across multiple agencies. This type of collaboration enhances the team’s abilities to mitigate potential threats, including vehicle intrusions.

“We sincerely appreciate this recognition because it comes from our peers and truly celebrates the outstanding law enforcement partners we work with to secure all people and events at Levi’s Stadium,” said Jim Mercurio, 49ers Vice President, Stadium Operations & General Manager of Levi’s Stadium. “We take pride in our ability to bring together local, state and federal personnel to work in collaboration with private sector partners to test and evaluate some of the most cutting edge and emerging technologies to keep our venue safe and secure.”

A total of 10 sports facilities will be recognized for their leadership in addressing safety and security issues as part of the 2017 National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition set for July 11-13, in Orlando, Fla. This year’s theme is Building Resiliency in the Sports Safety and Security Industry. More than 400 security professionals and 60 vendor exhibits are expected for the national conference. Marciani noted each league or organization selects the criteria and makes the determination as to which facility will be recognized.

“The National Football League has made a great decision in awarding the San Francisco 49ers organization their annual Safety and Security Facility of Merit Award,” said NCS4 Director Dr. Lou Marciani. “From the perspective of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, the organization has engaged in extensive safety and security training, taken innovative steps in technology, and has taken professional leadership for information sharing among members of the sports safety and security industry”

The presentation of the 2017 Facility of Merit Awards is sponsored by Axis Communications, a market leader in video network. The presentation will take place on the second day of the eighth annual conference, which is hosted by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi.

For more information about National Conference, visit http://www.ncs4.com/conference and for more information about the awards visit https://www.ncs4.com/about/ncs4-recognition-awards

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