As Northwestern faces a June 2 deadline to submit several Ryan Field plans to city staff, the Ryan Field Community Advisory Council considered a revamped security plan at a Monday night meeting.
At the Robert Crown Community Center, representatives from University Police and Evanston Police Department outlined a five-pronged approach to security at the stadium, which is set to open Oct. 2, with a football game against Penn State.
“We do take this very seriously, especially, unfortunately, with the given threats that are currently out there,” NU Police Department Deputy Chief Eric Chin said, referring to upgraded metal detectors.
Although NU has not yet publicly presented the full security plan, Chin identified a central framework: risk and intelligence; security systems and infrastructure; screening and access control operations; security personnel; and law enforcement and external support.
Chin said that compared to old Ryan Field’s security, the $862 million rebuild will feature better technology like better cameras, vehicle-rated bollards, a new metal detection system and upgraded fire protection.
New magnetometers will allow fans to pass through security without emptying their pockets, Chin said. A central stadium command center will monitor all aspects of security in real-time.
According to Chin, the University also plans to establish a Ryan Field risk assessment team to review policies and maintain collaboration with federal, state and Big Ten law enforcement partners.
Many of the existing security protocols, however, will remain unchanged. Chin said UP will handle incidents inside the stadium and in parking lots, while EPD will respond to issues in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Chin, along with EPD Commander James Pillars, added that UP will continue coordinating with law enforcement partners ahead of large events, contracting with Luna Security and Superior Ambulance Service and using explosive detection K-9 units, while EPD will communicate with residents via social media if security incidents emerge.
Pillars said he commands a team of 10 officers with specialized near-SWAT-level training to respond to large disturbances, terrorism and mass casualty events. He said this team will be on standby at large events.
“My major takeaway from the meeting is that the safety plan is very robust,” 7th Ward resident and advisory council member Lara Hamann told The Daily. “I feel very confident that it will protect all constituents and all fans.”
The Community Advisory Council, which held its first meeting Feb. 26, is tasked with providing feedback to NU on several plans, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the University and the city.
According to the memorandum, NU must submit its Concert Operations Plan six months in advance of the first concert at Ryan Field. But with concerts not scheduled until summer 2027, the advisory council is currently prioritizing the Security, Sustainability and Traffic Management Plans due June 2.
On Monday, the committee pushed for a more efficient public review process. The group decided it will consolidate the discussion phase and revision phase in future meetings.
The council consists of Ald. Parielle Davis (7th), NU Assistant VP of Neighborhood and Community Relations Dave Davis, two NU appointees, and two city-appointed residents who live within 1,000 feet of the stadium.
Monday’s discussion revealed few disagreements between the University, city and residents present at the meeting.
“What I would expect is that the majority of what we expect to see in those plans will be in the plans,” Parielle Davis said during the meeting.
The University aims to send the three draft plans to the advisory council in the first week of May, Dave Davis said.
If NU submits the drafts by then, the Ryan Field Community Advisory Council will consider revisions to the Security and Sustainability Plans on May 13 and the Traffic Management Plan on May 19.
“My biggest takeaway is the positive tone of this group in that this committee seems to want to work together to get things done in a way that hasn’t traditionally been the spirit of University and community committees before,” Dave Davis told The Daily. “There is an open dialogue that seems very positive.”
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