PHOENIX AZ. Jan 30, 2008 – It’s been nearly six and a half years since the tragedies of 9/11, but the security presence at this week’s Super Bowl makes it difficult to forget the impact of that day.
Flanked by a small army of high-ranking local and national security officials, NFL VP of security Milt Ahlerich yesterday detailed a protocol that seemed fit more for a presidential motorcade than a football game. According to Secret Service special agent Ken Huffer, Sunday’s game has been deemed a Level 1 national security event by the Homeland Security Department, a designation normally reserved for events such as State of the Union addresses and visits from foreign dignitaries.
Along with Secret Service and FBI personnel, police forces from Glendale and Phoenix, and 3,000 private security guards hired by the NFL, will monitor the ground and air at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The airspace surrounding the stadium will be restricted – not even the Goodyear blimp will be allowed to fly.
“We take this kind of event extremely seriously,” said FBI special agent-in-charge John Lewis, adding that the threat of terrorist activity at the game is “very low.”
There has never been a terrorist attack – or credible threat of one – at an American sporting event, but Lewis said the extreme precautions were still warranted.
“We cannot let our guard down,” he said, adding that there had been no threats “of any sort” received this week.
Fans attending the game should expect delays getting into the stadium, and thorough searches of their belongings, Ahlerich said.
“This is not a Super Bowl of security,” he said. “(But) deterrence is extraordinarily important.”
While the extra measures may cause some inconvenience for fans, Ahlerich says it will be worth it in the end.
“(Fans) will be safe. We are very, very confident of that.”
Flanked by a small army of high-ranking local and national security officials, NFL VP of security Milt Ahlerich yesterday detailed a protocol that seemed fit more for a presidential motorcade than a football game. According to Secret Service special agent Ken Huffer, Sunday’s game has been deemed a Level 1 national security event by the Homeland Security Department, a designation normally reserved for events such as State of the Union addresses and visits from foreign dignitaries.
Along with Secret Service and FBI personnel, police forces from Glendale and Phoenix, and 3,000 private security guards hired by the NFL, will monitor the ground and air at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The airspace surrounding the stadium will be restricted – not even the Goodyear blimp will be allowed to fly.
“We take this kind of event extremely seriously,” said FBI special agent-in-charge John Lewis, adding that the threat of terrorist activity at the game is “very low.”
There has never been a terrorist attack – or credible threat of one – at an American sporting event, but Lewis said the extreme precautions were still warranted.
“We cannot let our guard down,” he said, adding that there had been no threats “of any sort” received this week.
Fans attending the game should expect delays getting into the stadium, and thorough searches of their belongings, Ahlerich said.
“This is not a Super Bowl of security,” he said. “(But) deterrence is extraordinarily important.”
While the extra measures may cause some inconvenience for fans, Ahlerich says it will be worth it in the end.
“(Fans) will be safe. We are very, very confident of that.”
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