Ensuring public safety during an event as large as the Super Bowl will require an army of people. Las Vegas is determined to rise to the challenge.
Thirty-six Super Bowl public safety and security task forces will be hard at work when the NFL championship game arrives on February 11 at Allegiant Stadium.
The task is not small.
“We’ve brought together some of the brightest minds this city has to offer,” said Metropolitan Police Lt. Kendall Bell, co-chair of the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee’s public safety subcommittee. “We have a great relationship with all of our partners…the three things we need for a plan to be successful are communication, collaboration and cooperation. And we always have them when we work on these events.”
Host committee members, including Bell, have attended the last two Super Bowls to get a taste of what it takes to keep the public safe during event week and the Super Bowl itself.
The Super Bowl is a designated SEAR 1 event by the Department of Homeland Security, which is the highest level of security for large-scale events. That designation entitles Las Vegas to federal resources, an effort led by Secret Service agent Karon Ransom.
“What we’re going to need the most are K-9s” to do the many sweeps that are going to take place,” Bell said. “We hope to get at least 75-80 percent of what we ask for, which would be great. That would allow us to go out and do the sweeps that are necessary for each of these events.”
With dozens of NFL-sanctioned events and other happenings planned, like pool parties at various resorts, the focus won’t just be on where the game is.
The Metropolitan Police will prioritize staffing at NFL-sanctioned events and will then work with resorts to have law enforcement presence at their scheduled special events.
“We also ask them to provide us with information about any shows, concerts or parties that they are going to celebrate,” Bell explained. “That way, if something happens, we already know, we don’t fumble…we already have everything we need.”
The Metropolitan Police usually have about 180 officers working at Raiders games. Bell expects up to 200 agents to be on duty for the Super Bowl. Additional officers will be stationed throughout the Strip and downtown to ensure a safe environment at all Super Bowl events.
Allegiant Stadium will be closed one week before the Super Bowl to allow preparations to take place safely, and only accredited individuals will have access to the facility. A 300-foot perimeter will be established around the stadium, with a higher level of security than other stadium events.
Much attention is being paid to the Hacienda Avenue Bridge, as it will be as important a part of commuting for Super Bowl attendees as it is for Raiders games and other major events.
“75 to 80 percent of the people coming to the event will go over that bridge, so we want to make sure we have processes in place to ensure their safety,” Bell explained.
Vehicle escorts, reserved for teams playing in the Super Bowl, referees, team owners and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, will be strictly enforced.
Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, who co-chairs the Super Bowl Committee’s transportation subcommittee, said they expect private vehicles and buses to be a major factor in moving guests in and out of the stadium area.
With the influx of private planes expected for the Super Bowl, the Clark County Aviation Department plans to use all available airports in southern Nevada, including Harry Reid International Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, North Las Vegas Airport Vegas, Boulder City Airport and Jean Airport.
Since Las Vegas is no stranger to hosting large events, the planning process has gone smoothly. So fluid that the NFL has taken notice.
“When we meet with our NFL Super Bowl partners, they always tell me this has been the easiest process they’ve had to date with any Super Bowl,” Bell said. “We’re so far along in the planning process and the things we have at stake that they just say, ‘Usually we have to come here and do a lot of work and right now you’ve already done it.’”
