Arena Camera Policy

I was recently at sporting event and was told I could not come in with camera to the event when going thru security. I had the camera to take some outdoor shots earlier in the day and did not think to leave it in the car in this day and age. This camera was a "point and shoot" camera (fit in my pocket) and not professional camera so my phone could probably take just as good pictures as the camera. I did not understand the purpose of the policy, people are not going to take pictures to make money IMO. The times I have taken pictures I just keep them for my friends and family. Arena is not going to stop pictures being taken because people will use their phones. This is not event like a concert/Broadway show where flash could bother the performers. I was annoyed that I had to leave my family/friends and go back and put camera in the car but I was not going to argue with security even though I thought the policy was lame. 

When I returned home I went to the team's website and checked policies. There is a policy that no cameras with more than a 6 inch lens can enter the arena. My camera did not have a lens so they were violating their own policy. Just checking with others why this policy was put into place in their opinion. Do people make money from pictures they take at sporting event or even concert? Videos taken are usually just put on youtube or instagram, never heard of people making a profit from clip. (maybe I am being wrong -lol)

Well I did learn one lesson. I will check arena/stadium policies more carefully. Normally, I just check about their bag policy for my wife, never had this issue before for sporting event.

I am assuming they may not have allowed it to stop possible substances or devices to get in. I have worked at an arena where they won't let them in and it is a safety precaution. The newer security scanners, like the EVOLV scanners, are very sensitive but still do not catch everything. So they just don't allow certain things in. 

Zeppie2022 said: ""I am assuming they may not have allowed it to stop possible substances or devices to get in. I have worked at an arena where they won't let them in and it is a safety precaution. The newer security scanners, like the EVOLV scanners, are very sensitive but still do not catch everything. So they just don't allow certain things in. "

First, the arena violated it's own policy in writing. They said they allow cameras as long as they don't have 6 inch lens. My camera did not have that type of lens and security never checked the camera. Since you have worked in an arena, please explain what substance could I hide in a small "point and shoot" camera in a black case that fit in my pants pocket. Security had the camera in their hands and could have inspected the camera and case. I can't imagine what other device I could have hidden (lol) in camera that small. I did write the arena and the team a snarky email saying they violated their own camera policy that is in writing on web site. Of course, I have not received a response. I may not agree with the policy but all I ask at this point is follow the policy properly."

Well, I guess you would be very surprised at what people try to sneak into venues and how they try to sneak them in. Everything from Drugs, to liquor shooters to knives. We found a knife this past weekend on a person who thought they had it hidden well. Also, things may tend to change from event to event and security is tightened on certain items. I have seen it happen.

My suggestion is that you call the arena and speak directly to them about it. That's the first thing I would have done if I wanted an answer. They, not us, would be able to give you an official answer for their venue. 

 

 

I actually do the same. I will send emails for written records and they have come in handy in the past. I also call.

Updated On: 4/9/24 at 05:30 PM