With hundreds of live events from NBA and WNBA games to the grandest concerts and shows, there is never a dull moment at Footprint Center.
And keeping fans and team members safe is the top priority.
Enter Xavier Peru, security controls supervisor at the downtown Phoenix venue, whose goal is to keep everyone safe.
Peru surveys as the proverbial eye in the sky watching over Footprint Center and the Verizon 5G Performance Center, supporting security needs at both facilities.
Observing more than 300 cameras is no small feat.
"We have a lot of things that go on. Things are constantly moving, games, small events, deliveries – it's pretty much a lot of multitasking every day."
Every day is different, and that's quite alright for Peru who enjoys connecting with arena visitors and playing a role in keeping everyone safe.
"I enjoy the interactions with players and coaches, but it's really making sure that everything goes smooth here. Day to day that makes me happy.
My favorite part of the day is when I'm able to do some good to assist whoever, it doesn’t matter who. I just want to make sure that everybody gets home safely and that our building is safe and that everything runs smoothly. I love it."
A native of Berkley, California, Peru moved to the Valley with his family as a young man and quickly became a fan of the Phoenix Suns. He joined the organization in 2017, but his initial experience with the Suns came several decades earlier.
While participating in a community 10K run at the former Metro Center Mall in Phoenix, Peru sparked up a conversation with Suns Ring of Honor member and former athletic trainer Joe Proski, who was also running in the race.
The two stayed in touch and are still friends today. It was a surreal moment for Peru.
Today, he is thankful for his role and finds the day-to-day gratifying.
"The most rewarding part of my job is being able to support and protect our staff and our community around us. That's by far the most important thing."
Before his tenure with the organization, Peru supported security for State of Arizona facilities and various hospitals. Reflecting on his career journey, he'd give his younger self a piece of advice:
"Follow your heart. Find something you love. And don't look back."