South Point security staff is excellent, here's video proof

[krelnik]

There have been various discussions of security and safety at TAM elsewhere. I thought it would be useful to point out that the South Point Hotel and Casino (where TAM has been held since TAM7 in 2009) has a most excellent security staff.

They are experienced with events far larger (and far more unruly) than our skeptic convention. They are more than happy to assist anyone who needs it. They are responsible for what goes on over the entire property, 24/7.

If you don't want to take my word for it, I have video proof. Recently the Travel Channel ran a 6-episode show called Vegas Stripped that entirely focused on the behind-the-scenes operation of South Point. Several security incidents were depicted, and I think they quite well illustrate how firm, professional, polite and no-nonsense their staff is. See for yourself.

(Each of these videos is set to start automatically at the security incident, but I've also included the timecodes in case that doesn't work on your browser).

Here is a harasser being ejected (without anyone even being asked) at 18:48:

Very large boisterous man being dealt with outside hotel at 6:30:

Rowdy men being dealt with at 8:30:

Groupies lingering outside a celeb's room at 7:37:


Of course, the events depicted here are very different than TAM in many ways - they are larger and feature a different audience. And of course reality shows are heavily edited to depict a certain reality.

But the reality I see here is consistent with what I have personally seen at South Point. Their entire staff is very professional and I think Grace in particular (an Iraq war veteran featured on the show) is pretty awesome. I hope I can tell her that in person at this year's TAM (and then quickly get the heck out of her way).

For whatever it is worth, this will be my eighth TAM. I have always felt perfectly safe at all of them. I have many close friends that I see most years at TAM and who I communicate with all year, and none of them have ever told me they felt unsafe at TAM.

See you at TAM2012!

--Tim Farley

 

[xinit]

I saw them appear suddenly in the Del Mar on a couple occasions when one of the TAM attendees who was underage was sitting with us. They were no nonsense, and appeared, seemingly, from nowhere.

 

[krelnik]

Yes, on that first clip, prior to the timecode where I cued it, you see a South Point exec notice the harassment and call the security guard: "Grace, are you seeing this?" Grace says yeah and jumps right in. (There was a bunch of unrelated commercial break crap between that and the good part, so I left it out).

They will definitely call in security on their own at a moment's notice, hence the appearance from nowhere. Probably the bartender or wait staff made a quick call.

 

[arthwollipot]

They possibly have panic buttons as well.

 

[zooterkin]

I'm sorry, you can't present evidence that the South Point security can handle harassment in an effective manner, that's tantamount to saying that people whose experience differs are lying.

 

[krelnik]

I am not accusing anyone of lying. Please stay on topic of the thread, which is the quality of South Point's security.

 

[zooterkin]

I am not accusing anyone of lying. Please stay on topic of the thread, which is the quality of South Point's security.

Sorry, I should have used sarcasm tags; I'm not saying you are accusing anyone of lying. In another thread (I think on Facebook), someone said they had reported something to SP security, and not had a satisfactory response. Someone else (kittynh, from memory) responded saying she had had very positive experiences. The response was that this was practically accusing the first person of lying, rather than simply being an additional data point. I will provide a link if I can track the discussion down again.


ETA: It was on the facebook thread. Kitty details her experiences, and is then asked if she's calling Amy a liar. Apologies for the derail.

 

[krelnik]

I'm sure South Point security, like anyone, has had incidents that were not handled well. Nobody is perfect.

But I think there is plenty of evidence here and elsewhere that shows they will respond when called, and they will expel people from the hotel when needed. Do not be afraid to bring them into a situation if you feel you need them.

Find a South Point employee, tell them you need help, and ask them to summon security.

 

[James Fox]

When the rooster crows the sun will surely rise.

 

[Soymilk420]

I have to admit, the security there is good and professional.

My only issue last year was being told to take my hoodie off. That did irk me and I found it unnecessary.

 

[Soymilk420]

sorry double post

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

I have to admit, the security there is good and professional.

My only issue last year was being told to take my hoodie off. That did irk me and I found it unnecessary.

What was the circumstance of that? It seems out of line.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I have to admit, the security there is good and professional.

My only issue last year was being told to take my hoodie off. That did irk me and I found it unnecessary.

Casinos like to see everyone's face. For security reasons.

 

[zooterkin]

What was the circumstance of that? It seems out of line.

The same reason that shopping malls don't like people wearing hoodies, and banks prefer motorcyclists to take their helmets off before going in.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

The same reason that shopping malls don't like people wearing hoodies, and banks prefer motorcyclists to take their helmets off before going in.

So it wasn't that you had to take the shirt off, just the hood? That makes more sense.

 

[BowlOfRed]

So it wasn't that you had to take the shirt off, just the hood? That makes more sense.

Can you put it back on if Phil Laak Plait sits down next to you?

 

[zooterkin]

So it wasn't that you had to take the shirt off, just the hood? That makes more sense.

Ah, re-reading what you quoted, I see why you asked the question. I don't know, but I would think that it was just a question of taking the hood down, not taking the whole garment off.

 

[Soymilk420]

What was the circumstance of that? It seems out of line.

I was simply walking through the lobby. I was approached by a security guard and told to take my hood off. He was polite, but i was stil ljsut personally irked by it.

Whatever its their place but that kinda thing would make me want to go to another casino if I wasn't there for a convention just because I find it unreasonable.

I wasn't wearing gang colors, and its not like I was hooded up with a bunch of soccer hooligans to loot the place.

 

[Soymilk420]

Casinos like to see everyone's face. For security reasons.

my face wasnt obscured (it was a hoodie that fit me, not some extra large baggy deal). I saw others in hats with bills and sunglasses who's faces would have been far more obscured from cameras above and from eye level.

my face was no more obscured than wearing a hat without a bill.

and to clarify, they only told me to lower the hood, not take off the garment.

It really wouldn't have been too big a deal, but I wear hoodie daily so it kinda second nature to throw my hood up, so there were a couple other times I had to catch myself and take my hood down before security spotted me.

All in all they are professional and Ive got no complaints against the staff, i just think its a silly rule

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Whatever its their place but that kinda thing would make me want to go to another casino if I wasn't there for a convention just because I find it unreasonable.

You'd likely have the same experience.