American Football Security Boost After 49ers Shooting

Security is set to be boosted in and around the grounds of one of the major American football teams after a shooting incident that followed a pre-season match held over the weekend of 20-21 August.

The two victims of the San Francisco 49ers ground shooting remained in hospital as this article was being prepared, one of them with critical injuries. The game itself involved the 49ers and the Oakland Raiders but it's not yet clear whether team fan rivalry was a factor influencing the shooting.

Regardless, both National Football League (NFL) officials and the Mayors of San Francisco and Oakland have urged for sporting event violence to finish right now.

"The incidents....are completely unacceptable and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law", Mayors Ed Lee and Jean Quan said, in a combined statement, adding: "Fans come to our stadiums to enjoy an afternoon of football, not to be subjected to intimidation or violence.

"These games are family events and the types of images we witnessed last night have no place in our arenas."

A representative for the NFL, meanwhile, has hinted at the prospect of more robust American football stadium security at large, including at Candlestick Park - the 49ers' home.

"We deplore the activities of a handful of fans at last night's game and pledge our full support to Mayors Lee and Quan and to state and local law enforcement agencies", Greg Aiello confirmed. "We will continue to work closely with our clubs and law enforcement agencies to support our fan conduct and stadium security initiatives."

Several security-themed moves have already been implemented at Candlestick Park, in light of the weekend's 49ers shooting. Post-kickoff tailgating won't be allowed at future games, while the club's CEO intends to seek for this particular 49ers/Raiders match event - an annual fixture - to be removed from the NFL calendar. In addition, drivers leaving the stadium can expect to be subjected to alcohol level checks, to ensure they're not driving under the influence.

The San Francisco 49ers team was founded in 1946, becoming part of the NFL four years later. It took its name from the California Gold Rush of the mid-19th century when, from 1849 onwards, thousands of people arrived in the area in search of gold.

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Companies supplying Event Security

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High Alert Security Boost After Bin Laden Death

The death of 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden has caused security to be tightened in many parts of the world, in anticipation of terrorist retaliation.

The US embassies in New Delhi, Moscow and a host of other nations have all had their security boosted while, in the US itself, the same applies to airports, train stations and the former site of the Twin Towers in New York.

The CIA has urged the nation to watch out for suspicious activity, while the FBI has stressed the type of locations that terrorists could now strike. Ground Zero, where the Twin Towers stood prior to September 11th 2001, is now under the close watch of New York police, while intelligence operations are being carried out in Los Angeles and Washington police are actively patrolling that city's underground network.

All involved are emphatic that no direct threat has been received since Bin Laden's death, but that the prospect of terrorism now seems more likely. And these are just the visible US security enhancements, with a whole host of other security boosts taking place out of the public's eye.

Osama Bin Laden died after being shot in the head in a raid involving US Navy SEALs. Once his body had been examined and his identity confirmed, his body was buried at sea.

The search to locate and destroy Bin Laden had been ongoing for years and spanned the rule of three US Presidents. While fuelled by the destruction caused by the attack on the Twin Towers, Osama's reputation as an extremely wanted man had begun in the President Clinton era, some years before.

Once his death had taken place, the US State Department released a caution to US citizens in every part of the world, in an effort to place them on high alert.

"Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, US citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations', it said, adding: "US citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times."

"Though Bin Laden is dead, al-Qaeda is not", Leon Panetta - the Director of the CIA - said in a statement released on 2 May: the day after Bin Laden's death. "The terrorists almost certainly will attempt to avenge him, and we must, and will, remain vigilant and resolute"

Image copyright US Navy

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US Faces Continued Persistent Threat

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