Large-scale public gatherings, including cultural festivals, national celebrations, and sporting events, are increasingly being targeted by individuals or groups intent on causing harm.
Tragic incidents in Vancouver and New Orleans in 2025 underscore the urgent need for stronger, more flexible, and collaborative approaches to event security.
Dylan Evans, Director, Security Solutions, offers practical insights to help professionals across the public and private sectors enhance their security posture, reduce vulnerabilities, and safeguard the public and their organizations.
1. Recent Incidents Reinforce Urgency
Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Day Festival Attack (April 2025)
A vehicle drove into a crowd celebrating Filipino heritage in South Vancouver, resulting in 11 fatalities and over 30 injuries. Authorities ruled out terrorism, citing the suspect’s long-standing mental health challenges.
Key insight: Even non-political attacks can have devastating impacts, especially when preventive infrastructure is limited or absent.
New Orleans Bourbon Street Attack
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a truck rammed through a crowd before the assailant opened fire. The incident resulted in 14 civilian deaths and over 50 injuries. Later investigations confirmed the attacker was inspired by extremist ideology.
Key insight: Technical failures, such as malfunctioning vehicle barriers, can undermine well-planned security strategies.
2. Safety Vulnerabilities at Large Events
Across both public and private event spaces, several recurring risk factors emerge:
- Predictable crowd patterns that allow attackers to anticipate high-density zones.
- Inconsistent or under-resourced barriers against unauthorized vehicle access.
- Short attack windows where incidents escalate in seconds.
- Limited real-time detection, especially in open-access or celebratory environments.
These vulnerabilities aren’t unique to any one organizer or city; they reflect challenges faced globally, particularly in balancing access, experience, and safety.
3. Strategic Recommendations for Event Organizers
Security should be embedded in the event planning process from the very beginning, not added as an afterthought. Event layouts, crowd flow, access points, and even vendor placement should be designed with security and emergency response in mind.
A. Build a Multi-Layered Security Framework
- Implement vehicle-resistant barriers at entrances and around crowd-dense zones (e.g., food areas, stages).
- Design for redundancy; a single barrier failure shouldn’t expose critical zones.
- Integrate surveillance and crowd monitoring into the event perimeter.
B. Expand Pre-Event Risk Intelligence
- Conduct detailed threat assessments in collaboration with law enforcement.
- Monitor online activity and community sentiment for early warning signals.
- Include mental health indicators in pre-event risk matrices when feasible.
C. Partner for Rapid Response Capability
- Ensure your private teams are linked to public EMS and fire response protocols.
- Run joint tabletop or live drills focused on mass casualty and vehicle-based threats.
- Prioritize communications between teams and with the public.
4. Guidance for Event Planners and Corporate Organizers
Event planners are often tasked with delivering memorable, logistically smooth experiences. Here’s how to integrate security without compromising on celebration:
- Collaborate with venue owners and city agencies early to align on barrier placement, signage, and patrol coverage.
- Train staff and volunteers on situational awareness and escalation protocols—especially those managing gates or crowd flows.
- Consider credentialing (or vetting) systems for vendors and vehicles, particularly at high-profile events.
- Use communication tools (apps, signage, loudspeakers) to provide real-time updates or instructions during emergencies.
5. Personal Safety Tips for Attendees
- Know your surroundings: Locate exits, open areas, and access routes when you arrive.
- Stay mobile: Avoid lingering at choke points or near the street edge.
- Be aware: Use one earbud instead of two; stay alert to your environment.
- Report: Don’t dismiss unusual behavior—let event staff or security know.
- React quickly: In the event of vehicle movement toward the crowd, move perpendicular to the vehicle's path and assist others.
6. Looking Ahead: Future Safety Imperatives
- Mandate anti-ramming infrastructure for all major public events.
- Establish public–private security partnerships linking event planners, municipalities, law enforcement, and health agencies.
- Invest in mental health outreach—early intervention may prevent some violent incidents.
- Conduct community safety education campaigns to inform attendees of emergency procedures and enhance situational awareness.
7. Final Thoughts
Large-scale events are essential spaces for community, culture, and celebration. The tragedies in Vancouver and New Orleans are stark reminders that vigilance must evolve alongside threats—but they also show that many risks can be mitigated when organizers, security leaders, and the public work together.
The goal is not to create fear, but to build confidence—through preparation, partnership, and smart planning.
To learn more about how we can support your organization in managing the security and safety of your large-scale events, such as the 2026 Soccer Tournaments in US, Canada and Mexico, get in touch.