Indy Super Bowl 2012 Security Measures at “Unprecedented” Level
By Ellen Cannon
Federal officials have labeled security for this Sunday’s Super Bowl as “unprecedented”. According to Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Napolitano, “The overarching goal is to prevent or thwart a terrorist attack. We have no specific or credible threats against Super Bowl 46.” However, speaking at a news conference in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Secretary Napolitano urged, “If you see something, say something. We have seen time and time again, that the public itself is our best protection.”(www.indystar.com2/1/2012)
According to Carrie Schedler and Charles Wilson, “Under a security risk rating system used by the federal government, the Super Bowl ranks just below national security events involving the president and the Secret service.”(AP 2/2/2012)
Indianapolis Chief of Homeland Security, Gary Coons notes, “The security ratings are based on factors including international attention, media coverage, the number of people the event attracts, and visits by celebrities and foreign dignitaries. The Indianapolis 500 ranks two levels below the Super Bowl.”
Underscoring the importance of the public’s role in security, Jeffrey Miller, NFL security chief, noted that the initiative started last year during the Super Bowl in Dallas asking people to report anything that might be important drew 110 texts from fans on game day about safety issues and fan conduct. (www.fresnobee.com2/2/2012)
The attempt at an integrated security approach by 35 federal agencies to the Super Bowl involves the FBI, Secret Service, The Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana Homeland Security Department, Indiana National Guard, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, the National Football League Security team, The Indianapolis Department of Public Safety, 3,000 Indianapolis city officers, firefighters, and paramedics, 100 plainclothes city policy, and bomb sniffing dogs. More than 8,000 workers and volunteers have undergone security training and 3,000 private security workers have been hired to complement thousands of Indianapolis police officers and firefighters that will be on overtime and at full staff on Sunday. (www.fresnobee.com1/2/2012)
According to Secretary Napolitano, the federal government’s ring of security extends from Indianapolis International Airport to Lucas Oil Stadium. Private aircraft, including blimps, are barred from flying near the stadium during the game. Air marshals will be on flights. In addition, Homeland Security will deploy “squads of armed agents with sniffing dogs—the Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams, known as VIPR—at the airport.” (www.indystar.com2/2/012)
The estimated crowd at Sunday’s game is 67,000. Ticket holders have been informed as to the items not permitted inside the stadium. These items include: umbrellas, strollers, laser lights, coolers, bottles, cans, and electronic devices.
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