St. James has armed guards?

[Anonymous]

We went to a birthday party at the St. James for my daughter's school friend today and they had a few armed guards patrolling around the basketball courts. Not police, armed private security people. Is this normal there? We were thinking of having her play soccer there but if they need armed guards that makes me feel very unsafe. Is it that bad there? It's a sports complex for kids. Soo icky.

[Anonymous]

Not normal, am there very often and have never seen armed guards there. This weekend there’s a basketball tournament, maybe there were VIPs present that would need security for some reason.

[Anonymous]

It’s probably because of the basketball tournament but not because of VIPs in the house

[Anonymous]

I’ve been there many times and never seen that. Maybe someone important was there for a tournament with private security?

[Anonymous]

It could be security for someone specific. This particular moment in history, my mind went to diplomatic kids from countries currently at war, and their watching parents.

I had a friend who was the nanny for the kid of a high ranking Saudi diplomat. Child had armed security wherever they went.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It could be security for someone specific. This particular moment in history, my mind went to diplomatic kids from countries currently at war, and their watching parents.

I had a friend who was the nanny for the kid of a high ranking Saudi diplomat. Child had armed security wherever they went.

It did not look like personal security. One was guarding the entrance to the basketball court to make sure people paid the entry free and the other was up top making sure only people who paid for wristbands could watch from the upper windows. They were both dressed in the classic "mall cop" style with "Armed Security" printed across their chest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It could be security for someone specific. This particular moment in history, my mind went to diplomatic kids from countries currently at war, and their watching parents.

I had a friend who was the nanny for the kid of a high ranking Saudi diplomat. Child had armed security wherever they went.

It did not look like personal security. One was guarding the entrance to the basketball court to make sure people paid the entry free and the other was up top making sure only people who paid for wristbands could watch from the upper windows. They were both dressed in the classic "mall cop" style with "Armed Security" printed across their chest.

He didn’t want you watching from the windows without paying? Was this a shotsup tournament?

[Anonymous]

They need security sometimes. A couple years ago I was at a Shotsup tournament when some guy started a fight with 2 refs. They beat the hell ouf the guy in a full gym with 3 games going on

[Anonymous]

The windows thing is ridiculous. Why should you pay an admit fee if you aren't entering the gym?

They weren't there for safety, OP. They were just making sure the private tourney organizers get their fees.

[Anonymous]

The st james soccer teams don't practice indoors there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went to a birthday party at the St. James for my daughter's school friend today and they had a few armed guards patrolling around the basketball courts. Not police, armed private security people. Is this normal there? We were thinking of having her play soccer there but if they need armed guards that makes me feel very unsafe. Is it that bad there? It's a sports complex for kids. Soo icky.

You'll be fine for soccer and soccer stuff at the field house. But yes, TSJ can get busy and for liability reasons, they hire armed security for choice basketball tournaments to keep the crazy parents at bay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The windows thing is ridiculous. Why should you pay an admit fee if you aren't entering the gym?

They weren't there for safety, OP. They were just making sure the private tourney organizers get their fees.

+1. The only time TSJ has legit security (either guards or checking people in at the entrance) at the facility is when there's an entrance fee to be collected. They do not care about safety and security otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they absolutely had several armed guards at the basketball tournament this weekend. It didn’t seem like a very high profile event as I was there to watch my kid’s mid level elementary-aged team. It did look like they were there make sure everyone paid to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they absolutely had several armed guards at the basketball tournament this weekend. It didn’t seem like a very high profile event as I was there to watch my kid’s mid level elementary-aged team. It did look like they were there make sure everyone paid to get in.

What a gross business model they have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They need security sometimes. A couple years ago I was at a Shotsup tournament when some guy started a fight with 2 refs. They beat the hell ouf the guy in a full gym with 3 games going on

For a fancy facility like that can't they be a little bit more choosy about who they let rent their spaces? If you need people with guns to keep things civil, maybe turn down the contract?