KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ever since opening its doors in 2011, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, much like music, has constantly evolved.
The performing arts center in downtown Kansas City has always banned weapons in the building, and it later added digital camera systems and off-duty police officers for performances, according to Paul Schofer, president and CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The center also recently started doing bag checks.
Now, it has added metal detectors to its security measures.
"The timing is right for just continuing to enhance the patron experience, safety and security first and foremost," Schofer said.
Eight detectors will be deployed around the building's entrances.
The performing arts center did several dry runs with the detectors ahead of this weekend, which will mark the start of the holiday season. It will host 56 performances over the next 28 days.
"People are very receptive, welcoming and actually gracious of the continuing evolving of security process and procedures we're implementing," Schofer said.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts joins a growing list of venues with metal detectors, including Kauffman Stadium, the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium for University of Kansas football games and in Westport on the weekends.
"It's a commonplace occurrence in the entertainment industries, and what people are coming for are these extraordinary experiences. This is part of the process entering the building," Schofer said.
For more information on the new security policy, click here.
