Security team at new Bristol Casino working to ensure patron safety
BRISTOL, Va. July 23 2022 The Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock has been open for a week.
While patrons are enjoying the gaming options, a staff of security personnel is working hard to make sure everyone stays safe.
“We’ve got the security, we’ve got the surveillance, it’s probably pretty much one of the safest places to be.”
That’s how Julie Rutter, Director of Security, describes the casino itself, saying officers work indoors and outdoors to help ensure safety.
“We’ve pretty much got one of the biggest departments in Bristol Casino.”
Many of the team members came from the Tri-Cities area.
“We’ve got a lot of local law enforcement, retired law enforcement that are employed with us. We’ve got great team members.”
Both Rutter and President of the Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock, Allie Evangelista, say the plan is to hire more personnel.
“We’ve got a good amount of team members. When we open Hard Rock Bristol Casino and Resort, we will definitely be hiring more team members. We are still hiring at the moment, as we speak,” said Rutter.
“People have to adjust and adapt their lifestyles to the industry that we now chose to be our careers and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. We are prepared to make sure we are onboarding team members and continue to give an opportunity for new careers within the community,” added Evangelista.
Primary goals of support staff include looking after guests, team members, company assets and making sure everyone follows the rules.
“We enforce age restrictions in the casino, 21 and over only on the gaming floor,” said Rutter. “We do have a space on the property for under 21 in the restaurant area.”
Rutter says decades of experience already working in casinos has helped prepare for the role of Director of Security.
“I was in law enforcement for 7 years in South Africa and then when casinos opened in South Africa, I jumped at the opportunity because it was always something that I was fascinated with.”
And team members are looking forward to working with Bristol emergency personnel as the casino continues to grow.
“We’ve got Bristol Police Department, we’ve had the fire department on property as well during the opening. We are looking forward to a great relationship wanting to serve the community with local law enforcement and EMS.”