Epicenter beefs up security ahead of CIAA

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Epicenter in Charlotte will be filled next week with out-of-town visitors for the CIAA basketball tournament.

Yasmin Alborno, the assistant general manager at Tin Roof in the Epicenter, said the bar has been planning for parties and events scheduled, in conjuction with the tournament for weeks.

“You always want to plan for the worst, plan for something big, especially with a lot of people,” Alborno said.

Alborno said dozens of parties and events are planned during the day and throughout the night, in the Epicenter alone.

She said Tin Roof added about five bouncers to its staff to help with crowd control.

Alborno said they will be stationed around the building and that they have plans in place in case something goes wrong.

“We also have emergency exit plans set up if for any reason anything does happen with a lot of people. Sometimes you do have situations," said Alborno.

Alborno said she met last week with CMPD officers to go over plans.

She is scheduled to attend a meeting Thursday night at the Charlotte Fire Department.

If there are problems, Capt. Dave Johnson said CMPD officers will be ready.

"We just make sure all the permits are in place, as far as noise, alcohol permitting, that's all handled through ABC folks," he said.

Johnson said safety is a top priority.

"We will be fully staffed,” he said. “We will pull in officers from all over the city, not just the central division. It's a pretty heavy lift.”

Alborno hopes all the work before the event will help when things are in full swing next week.

"It definitely takes a lot of planning, but we are excited and looking forward to CIAA,” Alborno said.

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