And Fear Prevails: Tightened Security for Derby and Oaks

The Boston bombing suspects have been caught, in a law enforcement tour de force that must give second thoughts to any potential copycats, but Kentucky officials are letting terror win anyway.


Gregory A. Hall at the Courier:

Churchill Downs is tightening its security policies for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks in response to the Boston Marathon bombings that killed three people and injured more than 180.

The new policies expand the list of items banned from the track, including coolers and purses larger than 12 inches.

The track’s guidelines were revised after the bombings and bring back some of the restrictions imposed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Those policies had been relaxed since the 2002 Derby and Oaks.

Additionally, the track is asking anyone who sees something suspicious to report it to law enforcement or track officials.

“We want fans to have a wonderful and unforgettable Oaks and Derby Days, but we hope they will remember these words: ‘If you see something, say something,’ ” track President Kevin Flanery said in a statement.

The resumption of the cooler ban is the biggest change, although coolers will be sold along with ice in the infield. Coolers were first banned in 2002, before being allowed again in 2009.

“I know it was a pretty welcome change when coolers were allowed back in there, but again given what happened here in the past week ... that one was kind of the first one on the table” to be reconsidered, Churchill spokesman John Asher said. He added that Churchill will work to have coolers and ice on sale at prices that are close to what’s available regularly at stores.

A record 165,307 attended last year’s Derby and 112,552 people attended the Oaks, two of the biggest days of horse racing annually in the United States.

SNIP

Earlier this week, Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad encouraged people not to avoid Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday because of the Boston bombings.

“It would be a mistake to let an event, no matter how tragic, keep us from enjoying these events,” Conrad said. Regarding Thunder, he said, “No one can guarantee your safety. But I can tell you we have a good plan.”

 Right. Don't let security risks stop you from spending money to further enrich corporate America, but do surrender your Fourth Amendment rights at the cash register.