Toronto

Pan Am Games security fence failure leads to venue sweep

Police will conduct another security sweep of a major Pan Am Games venue in downtown Toronto Tuesday after a problem was discovered with one of the facility’s fences.

Games organizers say the issue doesn't pose a security threat

Security officials are conducting a secondary sweep of the Pan Am Park after a problem was discovered with one of the venue's fences. Here, police officers patrol the athletes village in the east end. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press)

Police will conduct another security sweep of a major Pan Am Games venue in downtown Toronto Tuesday after a problem was discovered with one of the facility's fences.

Games organizers say they found a hole in the 2.5-metre tall security fence during a routine inspection at Pan Am Park — located at Exhibition Place — which includes five event venues as well as the international media centre.

Officials with the Integrated Security Unit (ISU), a group made up of multiple police forces and other agencies, said the hole in the fence was caused by people trying to take a shortcut through the park.

The ISU said they don't believe there was any criminal intent.

"We are committed to providing a safe environment for spectators, athletes, employees and volunteers and to ensure all of our venues can be accessed safely," TO2015 organizers said in a statement.

Security officials are operating under a "medium" threat level, just as they were in the lead up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

The Games, Canada's largest sporting event ever, will have the country's largest-ever security operation.