EXCLUSIVE: Security breach at Pan Am Games venue
Posted July 6, 2015 11:01 pm.
Last Updated July 8, 2015 8:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Just days before the opening ceremonies, security questions are being raised after a breach was discovered at a Pan Am Games venue.
Multiple police sources with direct knowledge of the incidents tell CityNews that a perimeter fence installed at Exhibition Place wasn’t properly secured after police did an extensive security sweep.
The area is home to the Pan Am Park (PAP) which includes five competition venues, the largest sports cluster at the games, as well as the media centre.
The fence was said to be leaning up against a wall on the north side of the venue — on the Gardiner Expressway side of the Direct Energy Centre — and that many people have been using the opening as a gate or shortcut since the weekend.
Police will be involved in securing the perimeter around the PAP on Tuesday. Sources say there was nothing criminal about the breach, but security expert John Thompson said there are still safety concerns.
“The security threat for the Pan Am Games is low, but there’s always the potential and the media centre would be a prime target,” Thompson said. “So if their defences have gone down and there’s a breach in them, then organizers will be concerned that someone might have taken advantage of (it) and plant firearms or explosives or do a reconnaissance.”
Pan Am officials said in a statement that they have no reason to believe there is a security threat.
“We are committed to providing a safe environment for spectators, athletes, employees and volunteers and to ensure all of our venues can be accessed safely.
“During routine inspection of the fence around Pan Am Park, the (Integrated Security Unit) determined that additional security measures were required. Those improvements are now being completed.”
The Pan Am Integrated Security Unit and Toronto police will conduct a second security sweep of the Pan Am Park venues. That includes the media centre, which is slated to open as scheduled tomorrow morning.
Explore all Pan Am Games venues in the interactive map below by tapping the pins. Data courtesy of Toronto2015.org. Mobile viewers, click here.
