Why Your Nightclub Needs a Metal Detector

On June 12, 2016 a gunman killed 49 people and injured 53 more at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Heavily armed, Omar Mateen arrived at the club just past 2:00 a.m. on Latin Night and opened fire. After a three-hour standoff, the Orlando Police shot and killed Mateen. This event came to be known as the deadliest mass shooting in recent history.

The Pulse Nightclub attack occurred just two days after a gunman fatally shot singer Christina Grimmie as she signed autographs after her concert at The Plaza Live. As Grimmie opened her arms to hug who she thought was a fan, Kevin Loibl shot her. Grimmie died from her injuries in the hospital later that night.

It gets worse:

After years of deadly attacks in bars and nightclubs, and a shooting as tragic as the one that occurred at Pulse Nightclub, one would hope that there would be a steady decline in incidents. Unfortunately, bars and nightclubs have continuously experienced terrorizing attacks.

On December 25, 2019 a gunman shot and killed 28-year-old Johnny Holloway at Live Bar in Jacksonville, Florida. There were 300 people present the night of the attack, double the nightclub’s capacity. The promoter and assistant manager at Live Bar explained that there was no security on Christmas night, which was highly unusual for the nightclub. However, this was not the first time the club had gotten into trouble for recklessness and rule breaking.

In addition to the heartbreak and mourning that took place after each of these incidents, there was a sense of urgency to increase security going forward. There was a rush to hire more security guards and introduce metal detectors.

Different Types of Detectors

Metal detectors are either handheld or standalone devices. Handheld metal detectors often look like wands or sticks that hover over a person’s arms, legs and torso. You have likely been scanned by a wand if you have ever been to a sporting event, airport or club. This solution is adequate for places with low foot traffic, where hand-scanning patrons would not create bottlenecking.

A walkthrough metal detector is a standalone device that allows a person to pass through while performing a full body scan. Walkthrough metal detectors similar to those found at airports are accompanied by a screen that displays the full body scan and indicates any metal detected. Alternatively, more sophisticated metal detectors allow you to determine the threshold of metal that would make the device signal you to a potential threat.

With the progress of metal detecting technology, it is now also possible to employ a metal detector that is discreet enough for the patrons of your nightclub to hardly notice they are walking through one.

Licensing and Regulations

In 2012, John Mathias, the office supervisor for the Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement, noted an increase in metal detector use for nightclubs in Central Pennsylvania.

He attributed the increase to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The board informed liquor-selling establishments that their license would be withheld until they utilized metal detectors to better control and protect patrons.

Stacey Witalec, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board press secretary stated, “We tailor each conditional licensing agreement to the establishment and, while it’s not unusual to place that stipulation on an establishment, you’ll commonly see that as part of an agreement where there is behavior that necessitates it.”

It is simple.

Even if the administration that controls liquor licensing in your state hasn’t made metal detectors mandatory, get ahead of the game and invest in one. Over the years, more and more nightclubs across the nation have decided to increase security and invest in metal detectors for the safety of their patrons. There have been far too many bar and nightclub attacks that could have easily been prevented with proper security measures.

How Can A Metal Detector Benefit Your Nightclub?

There are multiple benefits to equipping your nightclub with a metal detector:

• Make your patrons feel safe and enjoy their night knowing that security precautions are in place
• Minimize the risk of a tragedy taking place at your establishment
• Get ahead of the state licensing laws, which like Pennsylvania may soon require you to scan your patrons with metal detectors
• If you choose to employ a stealth walkthrough metal detector, there will hardly be any nuisance to your patrons, even if they are prone to visiting the smoking area often
• Being a metal detector pioneer in your area is likely to earn you the praise of the local press, for doing your bit to keep the community safe.

Add The Low-Profile Metal Detector To Your Security Line-Up

There are many metal detectors on the market, but none quite as good as this one. BallistiSCAN is a portable, walkthrough system, equipped with micro Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) sensors. Thanks to this technology, you can decide what quantity of metal triggers your detector yourself. Depending on what metal threshold you settle on, mobile phones or e-cigarettes could easily pass through, while a knife or a handgun would get picked up.
It can handle a high flow of traffic, without creating lines of patrons waiting to be scanned; it is fast paced, just like the nightclub environment. You do not have to worry about false positives either – this metal detector filters through magnetic noise.

Oh, and if you need to move it to a different entrance, you will not need your entire security team to help pick it up. The actual metal detector is just two small disks that you can install on any standard barrier poles.

Protect Your Business and Your Patrons

If your bar or nightclub lacks appropriate security, club-goers may get discouraged – especially in today’s climate. It is time to upgrade and provide yourself (and your visitors) with peace of mind.

The peace of mind that a feeling of safety provides cannot be matched. Choose prevention now, and reach out to request a quote for our innovative metal detecting system.

By Mary Qualls