Selectmen Satisfied With Unified Command Center at Comcast Center

After one weekend of concerts, the new security measures seem to be working at the Comcast Center. 

Praising the new unified command center used for all shows at the music venue, Selectmen Chair Jess Apowitz said he felt the operation was a well organized effort.

"I have to say it was like a well oiled machine," Apowitz said. "It was organized, safe, there was a bomb sniffing dog there. It just make me feel this was an organized team event."

As part of the new agreement for the Comcast Center’s entertainment license, the town is allowed to set up a unified command center that puts police, fire, and EMS in the same room.  All emergency calls will go into the room, streamlining the process of dealing with an incident or an emergency.

Around the venue, there are three teams that report to the center any issues that may happen during a show.

Selectman George Dentino was happy to see members of the Metro SWAT team in the lawn section of the general admission area.

"That was a big concession. I’m glad you guys got that in the agreement because that was always the wild wild west," Dentino said.

Last weekend, the Comcast Center held their first two shows of the season. While 18 people were arrested and 30 were taken into protective custody during the May 17 Brad Paisley show, there were no arrests and only four protective custodies during the KISS Concert on May 18.

Despite the arrests at the Brad Paisley concert, the selectmen are hopeful the new safely measures will lead to less incidents and emergency situations during the summer.