Tailgaters will see increased security Underage drinking will be targeted in arts center parking lot BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer After threatening to go after the PNC Bank Arts Center's liquor license, a move that would severely hamper the venue's bottom line, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin has announced that the security presence on the premises will be increasing exponentially, starting tonight. The changes come in the wake of several underage drinkers being taken to area hospitals following a Gwen Stefani concert May 18 at the arts center. For now, Handlin (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) is satisfied that those involved, including the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the state police and Live Nation, the concert promotions company that leases the facility, have stepped up to the plate. "I think it's really been crystal clear to the responsible parties that the community had reached a point where this wouldn't be tolerated," Handlin said. "People understood that unless dramatic action was taken, business would suffer." Handlin said that, in particular, the focus would be on "underage drinking and chaos in the parking lots." "The most stringent new measures are primarily intended for concerts targeted to teens and adolescents," she said. Among the new measures that will be in place starting with tonight's concert, featuring popular rock act Fallout Boy and rapper Paul Wall, are: + The number of troopers will increase from about 10-15 to nearly 75. They will patrol both inside and outside and will start sweeps two hours before the start of the show. + Physical barriers will be used to better channel and manage lines to prevent people from creating mobs in the parking lots of the arts center. + Signs will be placed throughout the premises to alert patrons to the increased police presence and other important safety information. In addition, the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control will be imposing its own measures to increase the supervision of sales and better control consumption. Handlin said that if these measures do not work, the Turnpike Authority will either ban tailgating at concerts or confine tailgating to designated parking lots only. Arts center General Manager John Panero said that his venue will "continue to examine our policies with regard to preshow parking-lot activity and make adjustments as necessary." Handlin said that calling for the revocation of the arts center's liquor license was her way of getting the attention of those most closely responsible for the problems, and she feels her idea worked. "This is the start of a profitable season for them and I'm sure they didn't want it ruined," Handlin said. "Now everyone's eyes are on the safety and security of the premises, starting [with tonight's show]. I'm pleased with the speed of the response and reaction concerning this issue. Things were headed in a negative direction, and now hopefully things will get turned around the other way."