Security firms watch social media for feisty fans

Security firms watch social media for feisty fans

Published Mar. 27, 2014 3:28 a.m. ET

Watch what you tweet, sports fans.

Security firms are turning to social media to figure out whether or not there's an increased risk of fans storming the court or becoming feisty during sports events.

Officials say the practice of watching online chatter before a big game can help them tap into the mindset of a crowd, and helps them make decisions about how many guards to deploy at a venue.

Firms won't say if they're watching fans' chatter during the NCAA basketball tournament. But Whelan Security, which helped secure the Metrodome in Minneapolis during the Vikings' final game there in December, says it checked online chatter to find out if fans were planning to storm the field and steal souvenirs.

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