Elevated Security at the Phoenix Open: Tempe PD’s Smart Monitoring Strategy

How Mobile Video Monitoring Enhanced Safety for Over Half a Million Fans at the 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open

Held from February 3–9, 2025, the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale drew more than 500,000 attendees, making it one of the largest sporting events in the country. To help manage the large crowds and maintain situational awareness across the expansive venue, the Scottsdale Police Department partnered with the Tempe Police Department, which deployed The RATT (Rapid All-Terrain Tower) to assist with aerial monitoring as part of a coordinated safety effort. The integration of Tempe PD’s mobile video monitoring system into Scottsdale PD’s operations gave teams on the ground and in command centers an elevated view of crowd movement and activity in real time.

Tempe PD’s Role: Supporting a Regional Approach to Event Security

Extending Visibility to Support Scottsdale PD’s Operations

As part of a coordinated public safety effort for the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, Tempe PD partnered with Scottsdale PD to provide added support using The RATT (Rapid All-Terrain Tower). Recognizing the unique challenges of monitoring such a large and active venue, Tempe PD brought The RATT on-site to contribute real-time elevated visibility across key areas identified by Scottsdale’s event operations team.

Rather than replacing any part of Scottsdale PD’s strategy, The RATT was deployed as a supportive resource—helping command staff observe crowd activity and respond proactively to developing situations.

“We were there to support Scottsdale PD, and The RATT helped us do that more effectively,” said Detective Dave Gibson of Tempe PD. “It gave our teams the ability to provide live intel to their command center and adjust our position based on where the crowds were building.”

With The RATT in place, Tempe PD was able to:

• Monitor pedestrian flow at entry and exit points
• Contribute to oversight in high-traffic areas throughout the venue
• Share real-time visual information with command staff to support deployment decisions
  

By integrating seamlessly into Scottsdale PD’s operations, Tempe PD used The RATT to enhance situational awareness and flexibility—reinforcing a team-based approach to securing one of the nation’s largest sporting events.

The Solution: Deploying The RATT for Aerial Mobile Video Monitoring

An Elevated Monitoring Platform for Dynamic Event Security

​​To support Scottsdale PD’s operations during the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, Tempe PD deployed The RATT (Rapid All-Terrain Tower)—a rapid-deployable, mobile monitoring tower equipped with a high-definition PTZ camera and a telescoping mast. The system can be mounted on a vehicle’s hitch, tripod, or wall, and was brought into the field to offer an elevated view of crowd activity in areas that required additional visibility.

Key technical features of The RATT:

• Up to 33-foot telescoping mast for aerial monitoring coverage
• HD PTZ camera with IR night vision for day and night monitoring
• Real-time video streaming to any device with internet access
• Weather-resistant build for almost any climate
• Quick-deploy design that minimized setup time

Whether it’s a football game, a community event, or something on the scale of the Phoenix Open, The RATT consistently gives us the elevated visibility we need,” said Detective Dave Gibson. “We’ve used it in a variety of settings, and it’s become such a reliable asset that other departments often ask us about it—it’s proven itself in these environments.

Unlike fixed towers or permanent installations, The RATT allowed Tempe PD to adapt quickly alongside crowd movement. Within minutes, the unit could be relocated and redeployed to provide updated visual coverage—offering valuable situational awareness in a fast-moving environment like the Phoenix Open.

The system’s adaptability and ease of use have led to it being requested by other agencies for use at special events and high-attendance gatherings, reflecting growing interest in flexible monitoring tools that can be quickly deployed in support of local operations.

The Outcome: Improved Oversight and Support for Field Operations

Real-Time Awareness Backed by Visual Intelligence

The integration of The RATT into Tempe PD’s support role at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open provided command staff with elevated, real-time visibility of crowd activity across key areas of the venue. The ability to stream video directly to decision-makers helped enhance coordination, allowing teams to respond more confidently and efficiently throughout the event.

Event officials reported 63 arrests and 319 ejections over the course of the week. While the numbers reflected a busy enforcement week, they also highlighted law enforcement’s active and visible presence across the event. The RATT supported that effort by giving teams the visual context needed to allocate resources based on real-time crowd movement.

Key contributions of The RATT:

• • Live video streaming to command staff for informed decision-making
  • Expanded visual coverage of high-traffic and dynamic crowd zones
  • Flexible positioning to match shifting activity throughout the day
  • Recorded video for post-event debriefing and officer training

“The RATT helped us see the full picture, especially during peak crowd movement,” said Detective Dave Gibson. “It gave the command center a direct view of what our teams were managing, which helped streamline support without delay.”

By delivering real-time insights without disrupting existing operations, The RATT served as a valuable asset in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Why Mobile Video Monitoring Is the Future of Event Security

Lessons Learned from a Landmark Event

Tempe PD’s deployment of The RATT in support of Scottsdale PD at the 2025 Phoenix Open highlights how agencies can work together and use smart technology to manage public safety at large-scale events. With massive crowds, shifting variables, and high expectations, mobile monitoring fills a critical operational gap.

Benefits of mobile video monitoring at large-scale events:

• Real-time visibility over crowd hotspots
• Faster coordination between ground and command staff
• Adaptability to changing crowd dynamics
• Elevated deterrence through visible technology presence
• Post-event footage for legal review and officer training

By incorporating The RATT into their support role, Tempe PD helped extend real-time monitoring capabilities to areas Scottsdale PD identified as priority zones—enhancing event security through smarter tools that supported the work already being done on the ground.

Final Thoughts: Technology and Trust Working Hand-in-Hand

The 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open will be remembered for its high attendance and operational complexity—and for the strong interagency collaboration that helped make it a success. For Tempe PD, supporting Scottsdale PD with The RATT demonstrated how technology can enhance visibility and coordination at large-scale events.

By incorporating a mobile monitoring tool into their support strategy, Tempe PD helped provide real-time visual awareness to command teams, enabling more agile decision-making and greater responsiveness throughout the tournament. The deployment served as a strong example of how trusted partnerships and adaptable tools can elevate public safety operations—without disrupting the proven strategies already in place.

Explore How Your Agency Can Elevate Safety

Are you planning for a large-scale event, parade, or festival? Consider how mobile monitoring solutions like The RATT can help your team gain control from the start. Whether you need aerial crowd monitoring, improved coordination, or a smarter approach to public safety, The RATT delivers.

Contact us today to explore a customized mobile video monitoring strategy tailored for your agency’s next big event.