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Crowd Management Practices
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Crowd Management Practices

Rob Ammon and Gil Fried
Journal of convention & exhibition management, Vol.1(2-3), pp.119-150
06/01/1999
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J143v01n02_05

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Abstract

Imagine thousands of people pushing you down onto steel tubing with such force that your body helps bend and ultimately collapse the tubing-throwing scores of people to the hard turf. No imagination would be necessary if you were one of the fans in the student section at Camp Randall Stadium witnessing the Michigan versus Wisconsin football game in 1993. Seventy-seven fans were injured in the attempted "rush" onto the field. These injuries produced 11 lawsuits and reigniting the debate concerning crowd management techniques which had been dormant since shortly after the stampede at a Who concert that killed 11 people in the 1970s. The following study was undertaken to determine what crowd management techniques are currently being utilized at stadiums throughout North America. The lessons learned from dealing with potentially rowdy crowds can be applied to numerous public assembly facilities which might host a variety of events that can draw diverse crowds. The stadiums were analyzed according to their size, year built and related variables. Next, the survey analyzed what crowd management techniques and training were utilized and who was responsible for crowd management activities. The survey also analyzed whether or not the facilities had ever faced crowd surges and techniques utilized to prevent potential catastrophes. In addition, the study examined what stadiums were doing to control alcohol related activities such as violence and sneaking alcohol into a facility. Lastly, the survey analyzed the liability threat facing facilities and examined their past liability track record.

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