Security heightened for World Series games at San Francisco's AT&T Park
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- When fans get to AT&T Park for Game 3 of the World Series on Friday, they'll notice an increase in security. Not just with bag screenings, but with every delivery truck.
Earlier this week, beer trucks could just pull up to the back entrance of AT&T Park and start unloading. But on Thursday, the protocol is totally different.
Delivery trucks must come to Pier 96 first. Once there, they're met with members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a department of Homeland Security.
A truck scans both sides of the delivery truck for any signs of radiation. Then a massive imaging truck runs alongside, almost like a carwash.
"What we have out here is our large scale equipment," said Steven Baxter with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "We're looking for both radiation, and then also using imaging equipment to make sure there's nothing inside the vendor trucks."
PHOTOS: World Series underway in Kansas City
From there, the drivers are given a unique placard that says they've been cleared to deliver. The drivers are escorted to the Second and King entrance of AT&T Park, where Homeland Security officials and SFPD are stationed.
"We just escort to make sure that the trucks are in the same condition they were in when they were here in this facility," Baxter said.
He says the heightened security is necessary given how many fans will fill the stadium this weekend.
"The World Series is obviously a big, national event," Baxter said. "It draws lots of people and lots of attention, and just has that higher profile. So of course we're out here to make sure these events are safe."
This is the same technology Homeland security uses on shipping containers at the port every day.
Dozens of delivery trucks are expected to be scanned between now and Sunday.
Giants fall to Royals in Game 2
On Wednesday, Gregor Blanco started off the night with a leadoff homerun, the first ever leadoff homerun by San Francisco in the World Series. Then the Royals tied things up in the bottom of the first, with Billy Butler's run-scoring single off Jake Peavy.
Thing started to slip away in the sixth, with Kansas City leading 5-2. Omar Infante launched a two-run homer off Hunter Strickland.
Strickland then had words with the Salvador Perez as he crossed the plate. The benches cleared, but the umps quickly restored order.
Manager Bruce Bochy says he'll have a talk with Strickland.
The Giants pitcher told ABC7 News reporter Wayne Freedman there were no hard feelings, just frustration over giving up five homeruns in the postseason.
PHOTOS: SF Giants fans show off playoff pride!
MLB, Giants hosting World Series party
On Thursday night, there's a huge invitation only World Series party in honor of the Giants along the San Francisco waterfront.
The "orange carpet" arrivals begin at 6 p.m., at the city's new cruise ship terminal at Pier 27.
Workers were busy setting up the venue Thursday morning.
The event is hosted by Major League baseball and the San Francisco Giants.
ABC7 News reporter Wayne Freedman is in Kansas City, follow him on Twitter for the latest updates on the World Series.
For full coverage of the San Francisco Giants in the World Series, click here.
Show your support for the San Francisco Giants and email playoff fever fan photos to uReport@kgo-tv.com!
