Chicago Cubs modernize security at Wrigley Field with Genetec Security Center

MONTRÉAL – Security solutions provider Genetec knocked one out of the park thanks to a recent partnership with the Chicago Cubs to modernize the security at Wrigley Field.

The company worked together with the Cubs’ security and technology departments in undertaking a massive upgrade modernizing their security systems. The new solution is based on Genetec Security Center, Omnicast, and Streamvault, and extends security to neighboring venues, parking lots, and the Chicago Cubs Front Office the company said, keeping fans safe in multiple locations.

This security upgrade follows what has been a multi-year restoration effort of the century old ballpark to preserve its beauty and protect its historic significance while modernizing the amenities and improving visitor experience. The revitalization has also expanded the footprint and surrounding campus for the park.

Doug Lindsay, VP of Security at the Chicago Cubs, said, “In the past, our security team would have a bunch of different platforms up concurrently. They’d have to know how to find information and piece it together quickly. On a busy game day, when we’re managing many different situations, that’s hard work. With Security Center, all that information is coming into one platform, so they see what’s happening and focus exclusively on the tasks at hand. We’re definitely seeing a higher level of efficiency across our team.”

The Cubs’ security team works 24/7 from their new Joint Operations Center (JOC) managing over 110 camera views thanks to Genetec Omnicast. They’ve also integrated an existing access control system in Security Center and deployed 22 Genetec Streamvault appliances. It’s with these solutions that the team now has an all-encompassing picture of the ballpark’s security.

The next phase of the security upgrade project involves deploying Genetec solutions at the Cubs’ spring training facility in Mesa, Arizona, and later at the Chicago Cubs Academy in the Dominican Republic, then connecting those systems back to the Wrigley Field JOC to provide remote assistance as needed. They also plan to work more closely with Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) by using the Genetec Federation feature to enable the OEMC to access some of their cameras and expand visibility across the city. In addition, they are exploring the deployment of video analytics in Security Center with the Kiwivision Intrusion Detector, People Counter and Crowd Estimation features.

“We’re honored to work with the Cubs’ organization to help modernize security for an institution like Wrigley Field that is so beloved,” said Rick Taylor, National Director, Public Sector at Genetec, “Unifying their security systems on an open platform will help them keep fans, players, and staff safe in the historic ballpark and benefit from innovation as it emerges.”

More on Genetec and their solutions at www.genetec.com.