Long Beach Coin Show much increased security

krueger

Wow ! Security was like entering a county court house . Bag checking , empty all your pockets in bins. Scanner walk thrus.
Cameras etc. Many contractor.security bodies visable.
Just short of a TSA check, no shoes off.
I saw a couple of dealers denied entry because their push cart had a rack of water bottles for them. They were told that they would have to buy high priced water inside.
This was the first time in the shows 60 years their was this level of security.
Anyone know why??

Dave99B

I noticed the same thing. Security has been ramped up, which is great.

Funny story. The guy ahead of me in line was even taking his shoes off before walking through the scanner. They said ‘Sir, that isn’t necessary’. 😅

Dave

Mr_Spud

@krueger , I was outside of the doors there yesterday right before 9:00 am when they told that guy with a pushcart with a case of water and that big blue cooler on it when that security lady went up to him and told him he couldn’t bring in outside water and food. His buddy showed up and they told the guards that he had a restricted diet and the guards were still deciding when the doors opened and I went in, I wonder if they ended up letting them bring it in.

PeakRarities

@krueger said:
Wow ! Security was like entering a county court house . Bag checking , empty all your pockets in bins. Scanner walk thrus.
Cameras etc. Many contractor.security bodies visable.
Just short of a TSA check, no shoes off.
I saw a couple of dealers denied entry because their push cart had a rack of water bottles for them. They were told that they would have to buy high priced water inside.
This was the first time in the shows 60 years their was this level of security.
Anyone know why??

Perhaps because of the $80,000 nugget that was stolen from the previous Long Beach show this year?

johnny9434

@Dave99B said:
I noticed the same thing. Security has been ramped up, which is great.

Funny story. The guy ahead of me in line was even taking his shoes off before walking through the scanner. They said ‘Sir, that isn’t necessary’. 😅

Dave

Unless there's a match in it or something, just saying

coinbuf

@PeakRarities said:

@krueger said:
Wow ! Security was like entering a county court house . Bag checking , empty all your pockets in bins. Scanner walk thrus.
Cameras etc. Many contractor.security bodies visable.
Just short of a TSA check, no shoes off.
I saw a couple of dealers denied entry because their push cart had a rack of water bottles for them. They were told that they would have to buy high priced water inside.
This was the first time in the shows 60 years their was this level of security.
Anyone know why??

Perhaps because of the $80,000 nugget that was stolen from the previous Long Beach show this year?

How would extra door/entry security have stopped that theft from the previous show? I can see how that might catch a wacko with an AR strapped to his side or a pipe bomb in his pocket. But most coin show thefts don't need a lot of "gear" to be successful.

PeakRarities

@coinbuf said:

@PeakRarities said:

@krueger said:
Wow ! Security was like entering a county court house . Bag checking , empty all your pockets in bins. Scanner walk thrus.
Cameras etc. Many contractor.security bodies visable.
Just short of a TSA check, no shoes off.
I saw a couple of dealers denied entry because their push cart had a rack of water bottles for them. They were told that they would have to buy high priced water inside.
This was the first time in the shows 60 years their was this level of security.
Anyone know why??

Perhaps because of the $80,000 nugget that was stolen from the previous Long Beach show this year?

How would extra door/entry security have stopped that theft from the previous show? I can see how that might catch a wacko with an AR strapped to his side or a pipe bomb in his pocket. But most coin show thefts don't need a lot of "gear" to be successful.

No one said it would, but for PR and Optics they had to make some type of show of force, otherwise they would lose even more dealers.

tjrarecoins

Long Beach has Increased Security because of the $80,000 Gold Nugget that was stolen at the last show. Also, Long Beach is a dying show and nearly all dealers outside of California have abandoned it. Rather than going to Long Beach with 130 tables, I highly suggest heading to our Tampa Show next week September 11-14 with 500 tables and 700 dealers.

dcarr

@PeakRarities said:

@krueger said:
Wow ! Security was like entering a county court house . Bag checking , empty all your pockets in bins. Scanner walk thrus.
Cameras etc. Many contractor.security bodies visable.
Just short of a TSA check, no shoes off.
I saw a couple of dealers denied entry because their push cart had a rack of water bottles for them. They were told that they would have to buy high priced water inside.
This was the first time in the shows 60 years their was this level of security.
Anyone know why??

Perhaps because of the $80,000 nugget that was stolen from the previous Long Beach show this year?

.

Maybe, but it seems unnecessary to ban outside water bottles.
Did the guards check every box of coins ?
What about dealers and their "personal protection devices" ?

I haven't been to the Long Beach show in many years, so I don't have any recent experiences to compare to.
But I could imagine that some dealers would decline to go it if they can't bring their "pocket pieces".

The type of screening that I am reading about in this thread does not sound warranted or effective.
Even with that level of restriction and inconvenience, it would not boost my confidence or sense of security at all.

.

jmlanzaf

@PeakRarities said:

@coinbuf said:

@PeakRarities said:

@krueger said:
Wow ! Security was like entering a county court house . Bag checking , empty all your pockets in bins. Scanner walk thrus.
Cameras etc. Many contractor.security bodies visable.
Just short of a TSA check, no shoes off.
I saw a couple of dealers denied entry because their push cart had a rack of water bottles for them. They were told that they would have to buy high priced water inside.
This was the first time in the shows 60 years their was this level of security.
Anyone know why??

Perhaps because of the $80,000 nugget that was stolen from the previous Long Beach show this year?

How would extra door/entry security have stopped that theft from the previous show? I can see how that might catch a wacko with an AR strapped to his side or a pipe bomb in his pocket. But most coin show thefts don't need a lot of "gear" to be successful.

No one said it would, but for PR and Optics they had to make some type of show of force, otherwise they would lose even more dealers.

I think is the real answer. Visible security probably deters some crime. But metal detectors and the like won't stop 99.9% of show crimes don't generally involve weapons.

DoubleEagle59

@tjrarecoins said:
Long Beach has Increased Security because of the $80,000 Gold Nugget that was stolen at the last show. Also, Long Beach is a dying show and nearly all dealers outside of California have abandoned it. Rather than going to Long Beach with 130 tables, I highly suggest heading to our Tampa Show next week September 11-14 with 500 tables and 700 dealers.

Is it just Long Beach or is it the State of California that is slowly dying?

lermish

@DoubleEagle59 said:

@tjrarecoins said:
Long Beach has Increased Security because of the $80,000 Gold Nugget that was stolen at the last show. Also, Long Beach is a dying show and nearly all dealers outside of California have abandoned it. Rather than going to Long Beach with 130 tables, I highly suggest heading to our Tampa Show next week September 11-14 with 500 tables and 700 dealers.

Is it just Long Beach or is it the State of California that is slowly dying?

Cougar1978

Yes saw that video from last LB show - a really brazen theft. What a terrible loss for the owner.

Most importantly - don’t forget to lock your cases / or move material from case if lock not functioning properly then stacking in one that does (lock properly).

Mr_Spud

FYI - they didn’t check my backpack I was carrying that had a bottle of water and an energy drink in a can inside it. The metal detector didn’t go off when I walked through it either, even though I had the backpack in my hand and my pocket knife in my pocket. It seemed they were randomly picking people to step to the side and they looked through their bags, briefcases etc. but not everybody. I was wearing a PCGS polo shirt, so maybe I didn’t look suspicious enough to bother checking. I’ve lost so many pocket knives over they years at airports and even at a Ringo Starr concert in a Casino because I always forget to take them out of my pockets, glad I didn’t lose another one at the coin show

giantsfan20

Seems kind of overkill for security to go to extreme matters in the name of security. According to long beach convention center website usually list of prohibited it even mentioned specifically candy as well.

Guess PCGS agreed to these terms and was their a sign posted about these enhanced screening methods.

Not very consumer friendly for all and guess PCGS the show promoter agreed with rhese new measures. Nothing was mentioned on show website that this was to occur.

Were signs posted that this was going to happen?

Wonder if PCGS will make a statement or not on this matter

https://www.longbeachcc.com/performing-arts-general-code-of-conduct-2/

Jacques_Loungecoque

Smoke and mirrors. It’s good to see an attempt at addressing the risks. However, the plan is deeply flawed and the resources are being poorly utilized.

What in the purpose of the checkpoint Charlie?? Why are they mimicking the TSA?? Is their main concern an armed robbery within the show? I get it that most, if not all, the dealers and attendees are going to be unarmed since it’s CA, but isn’t there a far greater risk of sticky fingers thefts and parking lot rip and runs?

DocBenjamin

@DoubleEagle59 said:

@tjrarecoins said:
Long Beach has Increased Security because of the $80,000 Gold Nugget that was stolen at the last show. Also, Long Beach is a dying show and nearly all dealers outside of California have abandoned it. Rather than going to Long Beach with 130 tables, I highly suggest heading to our Tampa Show next week September 11-14 with 500 tables and 700 dealers.

Is it just Long Beach or is it the State of California that is slowly dying?

POTD

krueger

California is not a particular friendly buiness state. So coin dealers from out of- state stay away!
The $80,000 Gold Nugget was too valuable to fall under the prop 47 law.---
Now a Misdomenor to steal up to $ 950. Just keep track of values of what you steal.
This proposition 47 was passed and was titled " The safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act" by our now VP when she was calif. Attorney General.
Out of state business ( coin Dealers) if in california too many times have to pay california taxes . In the future.
As having nexus with the state.
As they say --what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas AND what happens in California is coming your way soon..
But the weather is nice here!

BLUEJAYWAY

@Mr_Spud said:
FYI - they didn’t check my backpack I was carrying that had a bottle of water and an energy drink in a can inside it. The metal detector didn’t go off when I walked through it either, even though I had the backpack in my hand and my pocket knife in my pocket. It seemed they were randomly picking people to step to the side and they looked through their bags, briefcases etc. but not everybody. I was wearing a PCGS polo shirt, so maybe I didn’t look suspicious enough to bother checking. I’ve lost so many pocket knives over they years at airports and even at a Ringo Starr concert in a Casino because I always forget to take them out of my pockets, glad I didn’t lose another one at the coin show

According to a security guard I talked with each detector has different settings to detect the mass of metal involved in the scanning process. Ones at an airport are probably the most sensitive to any type of metal and mass.

lkenefic

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:
Smoke and mirrors. It’s good to see an attempt at addressing the risks. However, the plan is deeply flawed and the resources are being poorly utilized.

What in the purpose of the checkpoint Charlie?? Why are they mimicking the TSA?? Is their main concern an armed robbery within the show? I get it that most, if not all, the dealers and attendees are going to be unarmed since it’s CA, but isn’t there a far greater risk of sticky fingers thefts and parking lot rip and runs?

Exactly... how about having more plainclothes officers scanning the crowd for thieves in action... might be a more targeted approach. Having all that security "presence" at the gate seems more like a round peg and square hole proposition...

Jacques_Loungecoque

@lkenefic said:

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:
Smoke and mirrors. It’s good to see an attempt at addressing the risks. However, the plan is deeply flawed and the resources are being poorly utilized.

What in the purpose of the checkpoint Charlie?? Why are they mimicking the TSA?? Is their main concern an armed robbery within the show? I get it that most, if not all, the dealers and attendees are going to be unarmed since it’s CA, but isn’t there a far greater risk of sticky fingers thefts and parking lot rip and runs?

Exactly... how about having more plainclothes officers scanning the crowd for thieves in action... might be a more targeted approach. Having all that security "presence" at the gate seems more like a round peg and square hole proposition...

Totally correct. Plainclothes security and LE, coupled with roving parking lot patrols - lights always flashing, will curtail 99% of your problems.

My grandfather, God rest his soul, cut his teeth as a plainclothes NYPD officer from the mid-60’s to the early 70’s. He retired a detective (robbery and vice mostly) 2nd grade. He swore that the best and most productive time on the force was plainclothes work. That’s the fellas, and now ladies, who catch all the pickpockets, muggers, shop lifters, petty thieves, and corner dealers. They are adept at observing and deciphering human behavior and tells. They can sniff out folk’s intent in less than a minute.

MedalCollector

@lkenefic said:

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:
Smoke and mirrors. It’s good to see an attempt at addressing the risks. However, the plan is deeply flawed and the resources are being poorly utilized.

What in the purpose of the checkpoint Charlie?? Why are they mimicking the TSA?? Is their main concern an armed robbery within the show? I get it that most, if not all, the dealers and attendees are going to be unarmed since it’s CA, but isn’t there a far greater risk of sticky fingers thefts and parking lot rip and runs?

Exactly... how about having more plainclothes officers scanning the crowd for thieves in action... might be a more targeted approach. Having all that security "presence" at the gate seems more like a round peg and square hole proposition...

How do you know that they did not do that in addition to the visible measures posted about here?

MS66

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:

@lkenefic said:

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:
Smoke and mirrors. It’s good to see an attempt at addressing the risks. However, the plan is deeply flawed and the resources are being poorly utilized.

What in the purpose of the checkpoint Charlie?? Why are they mimicking the TSA?? Is their main concern an armed robbery within the show? I get it that most, if not all, the dealers and attendees are going to be unarmed since it’s CA, but isn’t there a far greater risk of sticky fingers thefts and parking lot rip and runs?

Exactly... how about having more plainclothes officers scanning the crowd for thieves in action... might be a more targeted approach. Having all that security "presence" at the gate seems more like a round peg and square hole proposition...

Totally correct. Plainclothes security and LE, coupled with roving parking lot patrols - lights always flashing, will curtail 99% of your problems.

My grandfather, God rest his soul, cut his teeth as a plainclothes NYPD officer from the mid-60’s to the early 70’s.

Wow, can you imagine the contrast between NYC in the early 60s and NYC in the early 70s...

Jacques_Loungecoque

@MS66 said:

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:

@lkenefic said:

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:
Smoke and mirrors. It’s good to see an attempt at addressing the risks. However, the plan is deeply flawed and the resources are being poorly utilized.

What in the purpose of the checkpoint Charlie?? Why are they mimicking the TSA?? Is their main concern an armed robbery within the show? I get it that most, if not all, the dealers and attendees are going to be unarmed since it’s CA, but isn’t there a far greater risk of sticky fingers thefts and parking lot rip and runs?

Exactly... how about having more plainclothes officers scanning the crowd for thieves in action... might be a more targeted approach. Having all that security "presence" at the gate seems more like a round peg and square hole proposition...

Totally correct. Plainclothes security and LE, coupled with roving parking lot patrols - lights always flashing, will curtail 99% of your problems.

My grandfather, God rest his soul, cut his teeth as a plainclothes NYPD officer from the mid-60’s to the early 70’s.

Wow, can you imagine the contrast between NYC in the early 60s and NYC in the early 70s...

Primarily he was in the Bronx, so you had the Fort Apache era beginning. There were numerous arsons being committed that took a lot of life. Then when the economy took a turn, and the blackouts began, along with the rise of a much more aggressive and violent street gang epidemic…. Jesus Christ what a mess it must’ve been! A concrete jungle Wild West.

alefzero

My initial thought was that metal detectors at a coin show had to have been about the most laughable proposition.

I saw nobody walking the ceiling catwalks like was common in the old hall. But the floor security guys were pretty nice and dutifully helpful. So, there was real effort.

braddick

Hire plainclothes, off-duty cops.
Anything else is just dinner theater.

BStrauss3

@BLUEJAYWAY said:
According to a security guard I talked with each detector has different settings to detect the mass of metal involved in the scanning process. Ones at an airport are probably the most sensitive to any type of metal and mass.

Metal detectors detect FERROUS metal. Metal containing Iron. Gold doesn't register. Titanium doesn't register. etc.

pointfivezero

My security experience at Long Beach was not invasive to say the least. I was carrying my laptop bag with two submissions (including slabbed 5 oz and 12 oz coins) so I was diverted to the manual inspection line. The coins were all encased in bubble wrap. The "guard" asked me to open only one of the two top zippers on my bag, took a quick glance at the mass of wrap and sent me on my way.

Tim