Backpacks may get closer scrutiny during basketball tournament

More than five months later, the ripple effects from the events of Sept. 11 are still being felt.

The latest example is the increased diligence with which Bass Park security will approach security and the screening of fans as they enter the Bangor Auditorium for the Eastern Maine Class B, C, and D Tournaments.

“We’re not banning backpacks and stuff, but we’re going to be a little more vigilant in cases where someone’s bringing in backpacks with cameras, diapers, medication, and stuff like that,” said Mike Dyer, director of Bass Park.

Dyer explained that there are not really any new restrictions, just more attention paid to what people are bringing in. That should result in the confiscation of more items which are already prohibited such as air horns, laser pointers, coolers, and food.

“There’s never been food allowed inside the Auditorium, but obviously that’s not for security reasons, that’s for profit reasons,” Dyer admitted with a laugh. “Basically what we’re going to do is treat each individual person wearing a backpack on a case-by-case basis.”

Dyer said Bangor police and fire department officials offered suggestions on how to better police the Auditorium and spot potential violators.

“They kind of left it to our discretion,” Dyer said. “In these times, we’ve got to start thinking that the unthinkable could happen in public places and events like this. Any large gathering in a place like this would be a target.”

Tournament director Bill Fletcher said security is no longer one of their concerns, but it hasn’t always been that way.

“We used to have to take care of that, too, and that certainly made it a lot tougher,” said Fletcher, now in his 17th year of organizing the tourney. “We’d have to go up to take care of unruly fans, but they’ve really improved the security over the years.”

Action starts with the Class B regional quarterfinals this afternoon and evening.

The girls from Houlton and Maranacook of Readfield will start things off at 3:05 p.m. A boys game between Caribou and Mount View of Thorndike will follow at 4:35 p.m. The night games are scheduled for 7:35 p.m. and 9:05 p.m. with four more B games and two Class D games on Saturday. Class C begins play Tuesday morning.