Arizona leaders and Final Four security officials pose for a picture after a press conference in Glendale on Monday March 27, 2017. (Photo by Logan Newman/Cronkite News)
GLENDALE — The confidence Glendale and Phoenix officials have in security measures for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four stems from success protecting other major events, including the College Football Playoff and two Super Bowls.
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Officials at a security briefing Monday said the four-day event is similar to the Super Bowl and its many days of festivities.
“You never have too many people,” Glendale Police Chief Rick St. John said of the security force.
The area around University of Phoenix Stadium will be on lockdown, he said, and everyone who enters and exits will be subjected to security screenings. This includes not only the stadium but vendors in the Westgate District next door.
The security’s scope extends beyond Glendale and the basketball games. Glendale mayor Jerry Weiers believes Sunday is “probably going to be the busiest night in the history of downtown Phoenix.”
Because of traffic and incoming tourists, Weiers encourages the use of public transportation.
“Try light rail, try the bus for the first time,” he said. “We want people to have the most pleasant experience possible.”
Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton believes it can be a fun experience for residents as well as visitors. The weekend features free events put on by the NCAA.
“It’s so important that when we host events like this at the highest magnitude that not just fans from out of town or fans that paid for the very expensive ticket for the game get a chance to enjoy it,” he said. “We want everyone to enjoy it.”
The security briefing included officials from Phoenix and Glendale, and representatives from the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. They spoke often about remaining vigilant and reporting things that look suspicious.
St. John promoted the “if you see something, say something” policy but also reminded fans to enjoy the national event. If all goes as planned, fans won’t notice the security efforts.
“Today is about the community coming in and enjoying an event … and let public safety be our concern,” he said. “(Our goal) is that you would come, that you would enjoy everything that the event has to offer, and that safety would never even be a concern of yours.”
(Video by Joe Constantin/Cronkite News)