Is it safe to see Taylor Swift? Yes, say security professionals

( NewsNation ) — The arrests of three teens in Austria who allegedly wanted to commit an act of terror at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna was “an averted tragedy,” according to an American security expert.

“This is an example of the system working,” said Ben Joelson , head of security risk and resilience at The Chertoff Group. “There was collaboration between intelligence officials.”

The main suspect, a 19-year-old, planned to target onlookers gathered outside Ernst Happel Stadium — up to 30,000 each night, with another 65,000 inside the venue — with knives or homemade explosives during the concert on Thursday or Friday. The suspect hoped to “kill as many people as possible,” authorities said.

He was taken into custody on Tuesday, along with a 17-year-old, officials said. Both are Austrian citizens.

The third suspect, an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen, was arrested Thursday evening, the interior minister said at an unrelated news conference Friday.

Joelson said Austria’s “Cobra” team moved quickly to make the arrests.

But when it comes to feeling safe at a huge event like a Taylor Swift concert, how do the security pros feel?

“If we stop living, then the terrorists win,” said former FBI and CIA agent Tracy Walder , who added that she has taken her child to see Swift.

Walder is also glad that inter-country cooperation foiled the plot in Austria, while Joelson says security planners are always looking to make an event safer.

“There are countless hours and countless professionals that are working every day in the private and public sector to secure these events. If there’s a warning … we’ll obviously alter our plans, but otherwise, we’re going to press on and live our lives.”

Swift is still set to travel to London’s Wembley stadium for five concerts between Aug. 15 and 20 to close the European leg of her record-setting Eras Tour.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that while he understood Vienna’s reasons for canceling, “We’re going to carry on.”

Authorities said the scheme was inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. The main suspect, as well as the 18-year-old arrested Friday, pledged “an oath of allegiance” to the Islamic State group.

Investigators discovered bomb-making materials at the main suspect’s home, as well as Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at the 17-year-old’s home. That suspect, who has so far refused to talk, was employed a few days ago by a company providing unspecified services at the venue for the concerts.

Although the 18-year-old swore the oath and “comes from the social environment” of the main suspect, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said, he is not directly linked to the plot.

The suspects’ names were not released, in line with Austrian privacy rules.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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