Phillies to Begin Metal-Detector Screening of Every Ticketholder at Citizens Bank Park
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies return to South Philadelphia this weekend. And with the new season comes tighter security at Citizens Bank Park.
Starting with this Friday's exhibition game, all fans at all gates at Citizens Bank Park will have to walk through airport-style metal detectors. It's a league mandate at all 30 ballparks.
"You don't have to take out everything out of your pockets like at the airport," notes Phillies' security director Sal DeAngelis. "You don't have to take off your belts and shoes. Only large items. Cell phones, cameras, keys are what we're asking our fans to take out of their pockets."
DeAngelis says pocket knives are among the items that will not be allowed inside the park. And he says the walk-through process should take less time than the patdowns done previously.
Metal detectors were installed at the right field gate last year under a pilot program.
