Security is ready for All-Star Game

Kansas City authorities say they’ve got it covered.

Whether it’s crime, counterfeit merchandise or the heat, they’re ready for anything this All-Star weekend, according to city and Major League Baseball officials.

And motorists should likewise be prepared, whether or not they plan on having anything to do with baseball-related events. Ignoring street closures could result in a tow charge.

Major League Baseball’s chief of security, Bill Bordley, praised the Kansas City Police Department on Thursday for its “very sophisticated security plan” without going into any details during an afternoon news conference at Kauffman Stadium.

Many of those security precautions won’t be noticeable. But what baseball fans will notice at the stadium is a lot more officers patrolling the parking lots, while security checks at the gates will, according to Royals hospitality director Carrie Bligh, be “a little more extensive.”

Not so far as pat downs, mind you. However, “we’ll be doing wanding,” Bligh said. Metal detectors aren’t normally used during Royals games.

The heightened police presence also will be noticeable elsewhere in the city, especially around Bartle Hall and the Country Club Plaza, where All-Star game events are planned, said Maj. Rich Lockhart, a spokesman.

Lockhart said motorists can expect to be inconvenienced at times. Some downtown streets will be closed for Sunday morning’s charity 5 kilometer race and fun run.

Some streets around the Plaza also will be shut down for baseball’s Red Carpet Parade on Tuesday.

The parade route itself will be closed to traffic at 8 p.m. Monday so officials can lay down that red rug.

The parade starts at the Intercontinental Hotel and zigzags through the Plaza along Ward Parkway, Wornall Road, Pennsylvania Avenue and Nichols Road. (Maps of the streets affected for both events can be viewed at www.kcpd.org.)

Also on Thursday, Kansas City Mayor Sly James urged residents and visitors alike to be smart about keeping cool during this relentless heat wave.

He urged people to avoid strenuous activity and to drink plenty of water — not soda, caffeinated drinks, or alcohol — to stay hydrated. He said the city would provide water, misting tents and emergency medical personnel at all the outdoor All Star events.

The forecast is for the brutal heat to continue through Saturday night, then a cooling trend with a more tolerable high of 89 on game day.

This story was originally published July 5, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Security is ready for All-Star Game."