(Matt Rappa/SportsTalkPhilly.com).
By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
In modern times where tragedy is increasingly becoming the "new norm," taking any possible steps to prevent them from happening should be the top priority. The Philadelphia Phillies are doing just that, as part of their multi-year upgrading of Citizens Bank Park.
Not only will the Phillies team on the field have a new look in 2019, but also areas surrounding their stadium. With just 24 days until Opening Day, construction crews are in the process of building a security perimeter around Citizens Bank Park, according to KYW Newsradio 1060.
Work began soon after the end of the 2018 season to install concrete and steel security bollards entirely around Citizens Bank Park. Sal DeAngelis, Phillies Director of Security, noted to KYW how the club saw two years ago how terrorists were using vehicles to stage attacks:
"We saw the security landscape both domestically and abroad was changing, and people were trying to use different ways of harming individuals at large public gatherings. And we noticed that we needed to shore up our security perimeter around the ballpark.
There are no threats to Citizens Bank Park at this time. But we're constantly monitoring what's going on in the country and in the world and feel that this is a necessary step for us."
The bollards are about 3 feet high and 10 inches in diameter; they will be painted burgundy to match the ballpark. While DeAngelis would not disclose the cost of the project, he told KYW that "no public money is involved," and that landscaping and more trees will also be added.
DeAngelis also told KWY that other sports and entertainment venues have similarly added this security measure in recent years.
