Packers apologize for security waits - Ingles

Doug Collins, the Green Bay Packers' director of security, apologized Monday for the long lines fans had to endure to get into Lambeau Field on Sunday. He said the team and the Green Bay Police Department would study a range of options to get it right for the next home game.

"I apologize for the process we had," Collins said. "But we will learn from it."

On Sunday, thousands of fans were unable to get into the stadium in time for the 3:15 p.m. kickoff. This season, the National Football League ordered teams to enhance security. The Packers and police elected to use hand-held metal-detecting wands on fans entering the stadium instead of a full pat-down search.

Sunday's game marked the first time the wands were used. An inadequate number of security personnel, particularly at the time many fans tried to get in, and the fact the game was for Milwaukee season-seat holders who may have arrived late exacerbated the problem.

Team spokesman Aaron Popkey said all gates were clear with 9:30 left in the first quarter.

Popkey said officials stopped using the hand-held detectors at 2:45 p.m., one-half hour before kickoff. Instead, fans were patted down, Popkey said.

Collins said the Packers and police still were committed to using the wands this season. However, he said some security personnel might have taken more time than needed to "wand" each fan coming in. That will be reviewed, he said.

In addition, there may not have been enough security on hand when fans started to show up at the gates, he said. Security will be better deployed next time, he said.

Also, Collins said it was possible more staff will be added to move more people through the stadium gates.

"We will be looking for a marked improvement in efficiency," he said.

Collins said the Packers would continue to encourage fans to enter the stadium as early as possible. Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff. Fans should enter the stadium 15 to 30 minutes sooner than they normally do, he said.

This article was written by Don Walker and appeared in the Journal Sentinel.