Taylor Swift’s canceled Eras Tour gigs in Vienna “highlight the increased security risks associated with large-scale events,” security expert Morgan Stevens exclusively told.
Stevens, who is the vice president of intelligence operations at Crisis24 Private Strategic Group, stated that “bigger shows” like the record-breaking Eras Tour offer “greater risks” to musicians and audiences alike.
“Large concerts like Taylor Swift’s draw tens of thousands of assailable fans, making them attractive targets for potential attackers aiming to maximize impact, attention and casualties,” Stevens told Us on Thursday, August 8. “It’s widely reported that the Vienna concerts were expected to draw 70,000 fans each night, with similar concerts attracting an additional 10,000 to 20,000 outside the arena.”
Swift, 34, was supposed to headline three Eras performances in Austria’s Ernst Happel Stadium between Thursday and Saturday, August 10. The events were postponed on Wednesday, August 7, after local police detained two individuals for reportedly preparing an assault at the venue. A raid on the house of one of the suspects, a 19-year-old with apparent links to ISIS, found a cache of hazardous chemicals. An inquiry is presently proceeding to establish whether the materials may have been utilized to manufacture an atomic bomb.
According to Stevens, concerts like Swift’s are largely designed for a “shock and awe” effect.
“High-profile events, especially the reported Eras Tour, have received extensive media coverage, which can amplify the visibility of an attack,” Stevens told Us. “This publicity is often a goal for attackers seeking to spread fear through their physical message.”
He stated, “The larger the event, the more challenging it becomes to secure. Ensuring the safety of guests, its performers and personnel means coordinating numerous security organizations with opposing agendas and interests. This can lead to increases in misunderstanding and adds to the risk for oversights or breakdowns in security.”
Stevens also warned that with such sorts of “high-profile events” comes increased attention from those “intending to commit nefarious acts of terrorism or violence.”
“While the popularity of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour does make the event a more prominent target, the underlying reasons are rooted in the characteristics of large public gatherings,” Stevens said, noting the perpetrators frequently hunt for a spot to “cause maximum harm.” You may alos read this: Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner brew friendship amid Ben Affleck marriage
Swift has not publicly addressed the event, which Stevens linked to the 2017 explosion at Ariana Grande’s Manchester Arena show. The British event incited a longtime anxiety in Swift.
“My biggest fear. After the Manchester Arena bombing and the Vegas concert massacre, I was extremely afraid to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” Swift previously wrote in a 2019 essay for Elle. “My fear of violence has continued into my personal life. I carry QuikClot army grade bandage dressing, which is for gunshot or stab wounds. … You get enough stalkers attempting to break into your house and you kind of start ready for terrible things.”
According to Stevens, Swift is likely working with a security team, similar to Stevens’ GardaWorld organization, to assure everyone’s safety at her performances coming forward. (Swift next performs her Eras Tour at London’s Wembley Stadium later this month.)
“We work with a number of high-profile individuals and organizations. At Crisis24 Private Strategic Group, our high-profile customers benefit from a comprehensive security apparatus,” Stevens said, noting clients employ personal security professionals and work with the event team. “At static locations such as meetings, events and venues, additional security measures are put in place.”
Firms like Crisis24 also make sure that there is “threat assessment and contingency planning” well before anything takes place.
“When not on tour or traveling, high-profile residences are protected by state-of-the-art security systems, including alarms, surveillance cameras and trained security personnel,” Stevens said, adding that his colleagues assist battle internet threats as well.
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