Metal detectors at each gate at Lambeau this season: "We anticipate a smooth transition"

GREEN BAY -- We all thought we'd be watching the Green Bay Packers take on the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, August 7th -- in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, but unfortunately, that game was cancelled due to turf issues just prior to kickoff. Now, Packers fans are gearing up for the preseason home opener at Lambeau Field -- set for Friday, August 12th vs. the Cleveland Browns.

With this being the first game of the season at Lambeau, Packers officials are reminding fans of gameday safety procedures.

All fans entering Lambeau Field on gamedays will use walk-through metal detectors. A league-wide mandate for use at all stadium gates by 2016, the units began to be phased in at Lambeau Field last season at the Shopko Gate, and will now be in use at each gate.

"It's our number one priority to make sure fans feel safe and understand that when they come her, they shouldn't fear anything," Doug Collins, director of Packers security said.

The metal detectors are part of the NFL's new safety rules. You'll find them at every stadium in the country.

"They're not set as sensitive as the airport ones, so you don't have to take your belts off. You don't have to take your shoes off. Small rings of keys won't go off. A large cell phone, a large ring of keys, any large knives, any of those things will make it go off," Collins said.

This Green Bay Packers season won't be the first time metal detectors have been used at Lambeau. They were used last season at the ShopKo Gate and they were used at every entrance during this year's Family Night.

"We were able to push 50,000 fans through in the first hour, so it is very efficient," Collins said.

"The officers that work the games experienced this with Family Night and we anticipate a smooth transition for the first preseason game," Green Bay Police Captain Kevin Warych said.

Packers officials advise that the most efficient way through the detectors will be via express lanes, which can be found at each gate and used by fans entering the stadium without any bags or stadium seats.

"The express lanes are meant for, if you only bring your keys and your cell phone to a game. You have no bags. No stadium seats or those types of things. You can pull those out and you'll be able to hold those over your head and walk through the detector and you'll just keep walking," Collins said.

"We're going to use these metal detectors to detect those large metal objects, to get the fans in the game as quickly as possible with the ultimate goal of keeping everybody safe," Captain Warych said.

As in previous years, no bags or purses will be allowed inside Lambeau Field unless they are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and are no larger than 12” by 6” by 12”. Small clutches that do not exceed 4.5” by 6.5” are permitted. Stadium cushions are also not allowed, however, stadium seats and stadium pads that contain no pockets or zippers and are 18” wide or smaller are allowed.

The Packers security team says the new safety features will help to ensure every fan has an enjoyable time come game day.