There’s a new feature at Summerfest on Milwaukee’s lakefront: metal detectors. People attending opening day of the music fest on Wednesday had to pass through them.
Planners say they decided to install the extra security in November, after terror attacks in Paris. Then they announced the move after the recent mass shooting in Orlando, and a few hours before Summerfest opened, terrorists struck Turkey.
At exactly 12:00 noon, a worker gave the signal. While the greeting at the gate was cheerful, the conversations among those standing in line were more somber. Tom Bates drove up from South Bend, Indiana and says he doesn’t mind the metal detectors.
“I think it’s necessary in this day and age. I think they have to do things to protect the public, I think that’s one of the ways you can do it,” Bates says.
Bates calls recent terror attacks sad, and says they’ve left him questioning his faith in humanity.
“Instead of talking it out, it’s always resorting to violence and violence will never get you anywhere. Violence begets violence and that’s a losing proposition,” Bates says.
But, Bates says he’s been coming to Summerfest for 30 years and wouldn’t dream of staying home because of the tragedies. Darcy Dekeyser drove to Milwaukee from Green Bay. She says she’s getting used to extra security.
“We just did this at the Brewers game last night and it was fine.”
Mikkelson: “What’s your overall sense of safety and security these days?”
Dekeyser: “It’s a little questionable now, but I feel comfortable around Wisconsin.”
One person who doesn’t feel as secure is Stacy Williams of Milwaukee. She’s here with her three small children. Williams says she’s lost confidence because of gun violence that’s occurred close to home.
“I just don’t go out after a certain time. I’m in the house by 9:00. I keep a close eye on them. They’re in the house by seven,” Williams says.
Another Milwaukee person who says he pays more attention to his surroundings is Lee Shambly. And Shambly says he’s not afraid to call police.
“I look out a little bit more now for strange activity. I think that’s what we all need to do. If you see something, say something. I think that’s the main thing to do,” Shambly says.
Shambly says on a broader scale, he hasn’t wanted to do much traveling. But, Rob Sheets says he refuses to stay put.
“I’ve been to Istanbul. I’ve been all over the world. I feel bad that that occurred and it placed me there at one point in my life. But, I’m not going to let it take any joy away from my life, no way."
