Swifties heading to any of the final three Eras Tour shows in Vancouver this weekend be warned: too much bejewelling could spell trouble, trouble, trouble.
The caution comes directly from the head of B.C. Place, where megastar Taylor Swift hits the stage Friday, Saturday and Sunday for three sold-out concerts.
B.C. Place has a clear bag policy that bans fans from bringing non see-through bags into the stadium for security reasons.
“The problem with putting coverings or stickers, or bejewelling a clear see-through bag, is that it quickly becomes not a clear see-through bag, which will then be denied,” B.C. Place general manager Chris May said.
“If someone bejewels something on their bag that’s 3.5 by 4.5 inches and only one side that’s going to be OK. But not a fully decorated bag that’s no longer clear.”
Over-bejewelling is just one of many security concerns fans, stadium staff and law enforcement agencies will be confronting as hundreds of thousands descend on Vancouver’s stadium district this weekend.
The most serious is the national security threat that comes with hosting a major international spectacle, especially in light of the foiled terrorist attack that caused three Swift concerts in Vienna to be cancelled in August.
According to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the overall threat level in Canada hasn’t changed because of Taylor Swift.
“Currently, Canada’s threat level is medium, indicating that a violent act of terrorism could occur,” CSIS spokesperson Lindsay Sloane said. “In the case of large-scale events in Canada, [Canada’s Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre] works with CSIS and other partners to monitor and assess potential threats.”
The Vancouver Police Department told CBC News on Tuesday that it is unaware of any specific threats related to the concerts.
The VPD is accustomed to dealing with large events, but spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said Swift represents new challenges.
“I can compare it to the 2010 Olympic [men’s] gold medal game, in terms of the anticipation and buzz. But to put it in perspective, you have to multiply that by three, not just for the size of the venue but for the three consecutive shows.”
Sgt. Steve Addison with the Vancouver Police Department gives Taylor Swift fans tips for avoiding ticket scams as the superstar singer’s Eras Tour prepares to land in Vancouver.
The VPD is deploying 700 Swift-specific officers over the span of the weekend. Addison said fans drawn to the shows are a unique demographic compared to other large crowds.
“We know 70 per cent of the ticket holders are from outside the Greater Vancouver area and a significant number of those people are visiting are from other countries,” he said. “We know there may be people who may not even be old enough to walk to school alone or stay home alone.”
B.C. Place has erected a temporary fence on the perimeter of its property as an extra layer of crowd control.
May said fans will need to show their ticket to get inside the fence, before heading to a stadium entrance door for bag screening, a magnetometer check and official ticket scanning.
“If you don’t have a ticket, don’t come to the stadium district on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” May said. “There is no designated outside gathering zone. Our focus is on keeping ticket holders and guests safe.”
Swift’s Sunday show in Vancouver will mark the 149th and final show of her record-breaking Eras Tour. It started 21 months ago, travelled through the U.S., Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and, finally, Canada, grossing more than $1 billion.