Tampa subregional

Security levels already high

The advent of war in Iraq should not have any tangible impact on security at the St. Pete Times Forum for this weekend's games, in part because of high safety measures established since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Eighteen months ago, we set out to have the highest security levels we could here, so our efforts are unchanged," said Rob Higgins, tournament manager.

The standard security measures for a Lightning hockey game meet or exceed what the NCAA asks from tournament venues, according to team spokesman Bill Wickett. The Times Forum's event staff and security personnel are the same as would normally be in place for a 21,000-person event, though the police presence within the building could be twice what it is for a Lighting home game, including non-uniformed officers.

Security measures will best be seen in bag checks for all fans and even coaches, players and volunteers. Times Forum officials sent out a release last week explaining "increased security measures" instituted "in light of the recent incidents." Among the restricted items for fans attending this weekend's games:

-- No bags or backpacks. Purses and diaper bags are permitted and will be searched.

-- Cameras meeting designated event standards will be permitted, camera bags will not.

-- Binoculars are permitted, binocular bags are not.

-- No weapons.

-- No video or audio recording devices.

-- No laser pointers, fireworks, pepper spray or Mace.

-- No bottles, cans or containers of any kind.

-- No sharp objects, sticks or poles of any kind.

-- No food or beverage items. Baby bottles and formula are permitted.

-- No drugs or controlled substances.

-- No flags, banners or artificial noisemakers.

-- No promotional items of any kind.

And while the event is not on a college campus, NCAA rules prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages within the arena. Drinks will be sold in Shots, the restaurant located outside the Times Forum, but only because it is not located within the ticketed gates.

HOW MUCH?: With half of the subregion's eight teams gone by tonight, tickets for Sunday's games would seem to be readily available from fans who don't like the idea of watching the squad that eliminated their team.

A healthy reminder then, especially to out-of-state fans, that state laws prohibit the sale of tickets for more than $1 above face value. Scalping is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.

A lesser-known statute prohibits the resale of any non-transferable multiday or multievent ticket once it has been used for admission. But because the NCAA ticket books are printed with face values on each ticket, the statute should not apply, according to Scottie Rodgers, an assistant director with the NCAA.

"It won't be as aggressive as at Bucs games, but we will be monitoring the event, knowing there could be scalping and, more importantly, there could be ticket counterfeiting," said Katie Hughes, public information officer for the Tampa Police Department.

In the past two weeks, more than 100 sellers have posted tickets at auction site eBay.com, which regulates bids based on the location given for sellers and bidders. There's nothing to limit out-of-state transactions, however, and one pair of tickets valued at $300 sold for $800 in an auction Sunday.

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