Whitman Baltimore Expo Security Briefing

Dentuck

This isn't specifically coin-related, but it has to do with the general market,
a popular upcoming show, etc., and I know it's been a topic of conversation recently.


WHITMAN BALTIMORE EXPO SECURITY BRIEFING
June 4, 2015

(Baltimore, Maryland) — The Thursday–Sunday, July 16–19, 2015, Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo
will feature enhanced security for the safety and convenience of its visitors, dealers, and their families.
More information and details of the following points are at Expo.Whitman.com.

• More police officers at the Convention Center. Additional uniformed Baltimore Police
Department officers will be stationed at the Pratt Street entrance and the Charles Street entrance
of the Baltimore Convention Center. They will be on duty Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday
through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• More security officers at the Convention Center. A larger-than-usual force of Convention
Center security officers will also be on duty Thursday through Sunday.

• More police officers in the area. The City has announced an expanded police foot-patrol
presence in the downtown and Inner Harbor areas.

• Free overnight secured storage. A special Overnight Security Room will be provided
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for dealers, Early Birds, and visitors who do not have a booth at the
show but need overnight secured storage. This will allow them to keep their valuables safe at the
Convention Center instead of transporting them back and forth to their hotel.

• Free uniformed escorts. Expo attendees can call the Downtown Partnership Escort Line
(410-244-8778) or the Waterfront Partnership Escort Line (443-278-4701) if they want to be safely
escorted to or from the convention, day or night. These friendly volunteers are the “eyes and ears” for
the Inner Harbor Police Unit.

• Downtown Baltimore Guides. Certified, uniformed, radio-equipped volunteers patrol the
streets and provide visitor assistance by car, by bike, and on foot.

• Baltimore Public Safety Coalition. A network of public and private security teams in
downtown works together to develop strategies related to public safety.

• Security surveillance. A city-wide network of 538 closed-circuit cameras is monitored
around the clock, seven days a week.

In addition to these enhanced safety features, the Expo’s vigilant security team and standard procedures
will be in place for the protection and comfort of all. “The City of Baltimore, its uniformed police officers, and
our experienced security team are working together to make this the safest, most secure Whitman Expo
ever,” said General Manager Lori Kraft.


# # #

For more information, visit Expo.Whitman.com, or contact
Lori Kraft, General Manager, Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo,
3101 Clairmont Road NE, Suite G, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
Phone 404-214-4373; email lori.kraft@whitman.com

Boosibri

Wise move on the part of the convention center and Whitman to provide and communicate these services

Coinosaurus

Goldbully

• More police officers at the Convention Center. Additional uniformed Baltimore Police
Department officers will be stationed at the Pratt Street entrance and the Charles Street entrance
of the Baltimore Convention Center. They will be on duty Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday
through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• More security officers at the Convention Center. A larger-than-usual force of Convention
Center security officers will also be on duty Thursday through Sunday.

• More police officers in the area. The City has announced an expanded police foot-patrol
presence in the downtown and Inner Harbor areas.

What good is all that police power, when Baltimore has a mayor that gives thugs space to destroy.
Still waiting to find out who gave the stand down order to the cops on that fateful Monday night in Baltimore.
Sorry about the negativity, but these inept politicians and police brass have to be held accountable.

Bochiman

<< <i>• More police officers at the Convention Center. Additional uniformed Baltimore Police
Department officers will be stationed at the Pratt Street entrance and the Charles Street entrance
of the Baltimore Convention Center. They will be on duty Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday
through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• More security officers at the Convention Center. A larger-than-usual force of Convention
Center security officers will also be on duty Thursday through Sunday.

• More police officers in the area. The City has announced an expanded police foot-patrol
presence in the downtown and Inner Harbor areas.

What good is all that police power, when Baltimore has a mayor that gives thugs space to destroy.
Still waiting to find out who gave the stand down order to the cops on that fateful Monday night in Baltimore.
Sorry about the negativity, but these inept politicians and police brass have to be held accountable. >>




GB, I don't disagree with you one iota. The only thing I will add is that, like many politicians, they will try to keep the tourists safer than the residents. Instead of making the entire city safer and more secure for everyone, they will focus on the incoming money that they wouldn't get from their normal constituents (that's considered money already "theirs") and are looking to say "look. we kept things safe and our tourism still flourished. ignore what the news will show you"....

LindeDad

Delete

EVillageProwler

This is smart, for both PR and practical reasons.

I love going to this show. I look forward to it three times a year. But this summer I will not go largely because I want to allocate those vacation days for something else. Also, my regular hotel (must be dog-friendly) didn't offer good convention rates this time.

EVP

1Mike1

Looks like Baltimore is in a damned if they do and damned if they don't situation. If they don't add security some people don't feel safe but because they must have added security, some people don't feel safe.

gsa1fan

I'm still hoping they move it back to Atlanta

Raufus

Raufus

ricko

This is a positive effort that certainly will be appreciated, while at the same time it openly declares the fact that the city is fraught with danger for tourists.....such a shame. Cheers, RickO

Shortgapbob

A smart and proactive move on Whitman's part. Things like this are why they put on the best shows.

I don't think it openly admits anything about the state of the city. They are just listening to the concern and acting in response. Better than if they did nothing.

I applaud their efforts.

messydesk

<< <i>A smart and proactive move on Whitman's part. ... They are just listening to the concern and acting in response. >>


I think they're trying to salvage the show. Nice that security measures are being taken and made public. Not so nice that they have to be.

Shortgapbob

<< <i>

<< <i>A smart and proactive move on Whitman's part. ... They are just listening to the concern and acting in response. >>



I think they're trying to salvage the show. Nice that security measures are being taken and made public. Not so nice that they have to be. >>



I'm not sure what else they can do. I wouldn't want them to ignore any potential problems, nor would I want them to throw the towel in and cancel the show.

It's a proactive security move, which may or may not prove needed....its still to early to tell. Much can happen in a month. I still believe the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore will be safe in July.

pf70collector

I live in Baltimore and will probably go during the lunch hour with everybody out of their offices for lunch if I go at all. I would feel safer with more people on the street believe or not. I would go just to have some coins graded at the PCGS table. I would not stay long. I used to feel safe near the harbor, but not sure now after the riots.

Attendance down at the Horseshoe Casino, Walther's Art Gallery, and the Baltimore Zoo after the riots according to the Baltimore Sun.

leothelyon

Does sound like they'll be prepared for a war if anything breaks out.

MsMorrisine

<< <i>I live in Baltimore and will probably go during the lunch hour with everybody out of their offices for lunch if I go at all. I would feel safer with more people on the street believe or not. I would go just to have some coins graded at the PCGS table. I would not stay long. I used to feel safe near the harbor, but not sure now after the riots.

Attendance down at the Horseshoe Casino, Walther's Art Gallery, and the Baltimore Zoo after the riots according to the Baltimore Sun. >>



Is crime up in those areas?

ThePennyLady

I for one am very glad to hear about all the extra security for this show. It will be my first time attending the Baltimore summer show and I am still looking forward to participating. Thank you Whitman for doing what you can to keep us safe during these troubled times.

rkfish

I'm still hoping they move it back to Atlanta

Seriously???

ricko

The notably increased security and the publication of details is a clear and open admission of the potential for trouble. This is an admirable effort to provide assurance of safety to those attending. I applaud this and hope it is not necessary. Cheers, RickO

Dentuck

A lot of it is just reminding people of resources that have been
available to Convention visitors all along. The uniformed escorts
who are just a phone call away . . . the certified city guides who
keep an eye on the area and can help you get around safely . . .
the city's public-safety coalition . . . security surveillance . . . etc.

leothelyon

If the mob does show up, will security stand their ground to protect the public? What if, the mob does break through security and dealers and public are ordered to evacuate.......what are your thoughts on leaving your inventory to the dogs?

Goldbully

<< <i>If the mob does show up, will security stand their ground to protect the public? What if, the mob does break through security and dealers and public are ordered to evacuate.......what are your thoughts on leaving your inventory to the dogs? >>



That's quite a stretch.......if Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake says to the police to 'give them space to destroy,' we have a problem.

Hopefully this incompetent mayor has learned her lesson.

Dentuck

"The mob"?

"The dogs"?

Leo, can you be more specific on what you're talking about?

streeter

For myself,

Since I was a child of the 60's in the Bay Area, I suppose earlier in life I lived with philosophy of try to 'help those in need'.

That morphed into ' help the helpless & ignore the clueless'.

That has morphed into 'live fire during looting'.

If the mayor of Baltimore said " looters will be shot on sight/site ".

The looting/rioting would stop. Period. End of discussion.

It would be either the end of her political career or the start of a new one.

Or to quote Mayor Daley...the police are here to preserve disorder...

bestday

<< <i>• More police officers at the Convention Center. Additional uniformed Baltimore Police
Department officers will be stationed at the Pratt Street entrance and the Charles Street entrance
of the Baltimore Convention Center. They will be on duty Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday
through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• More security officers at the Convention Center. A larger-than-usual force of Convention
Center security officers will also be on duty Thursday through Sunday.

• More police officers in the area. The City has announced an expanded police foot-patrol
presence in the downtown and Inner Harbor areas.

What good is all that police power, when Baltimore has a mayor that gives thugs space to destroy.
Still waiting to find out who gave the stand down order to the cops on that fateful Monday night in Baltimore.
Sorry about the negativity, but these inept politicians and police brass have to be held accountable. >>




Quite a few posters on other threads said there was nothing to be afraid/concerned with the Baltimore show ..lol... if you trust Baltimore Mayor ,Police Chief to safe guard for money ,coins, personal safety
Murders so far in June, on set to make all time record for murders in a month..... at Baltimore ....what 'cha going to do , when you go out for the evening, after the show ????

bestday

<< <i>If the mob does show up, will security stand their ground to protect the public? What if, the mob does break through security and dealers and public are ordered to evacuate.......what are your thoughts on leaving your inventory to the dogs? >>



I traveled the world .. during the golden age of Jet travel ... Number 1 rule was don't go where you would be in danger... no matter what security was available......all the best of world cities have their slums /seedy areas .. yea even Moscow like ....not in Idaho

cameonut2011

I'm still too concerned about security to go.

Justacommeman

If you are afraid then don't go.

Mark

asheland

<< <i>If the mob does show up, will security stand their ground to protect the public? What if, the mob does break through security and dealers and public are ordered to evacuate.......what are your thoughts on leaving your inventory to the dogs? >>




Good question!

ms70

<< <i>This is a positive effort that certainly will be appreciated, while at the same time it openly declares the fact that the city is fraught with danger for tourists.....such a shame. Cheers, RickO >>



That pretty much sums it up. It is a shame but it is what it is.

ms70

<< <i>If the mob does show up, will security stand their ground to protect the public? What if, the mob does break through security and dealers and public are ordered to evacuate.......what are your thoughts on leaving your inventory to the dogs? >>



Unarmed security guards make about $10 - $11 an hour, armed $18 - $22 on average. None of them are going to get hurt for anyone, or shoot anyone at that price. It's a job, not a career,
where a guard is not much more than a deterrent. Then there's the prosecution climate in Baltimore on top of that, which will definitely be factored into a security guard's decision making.