LE Brief: No Known Threats To Superbowl

On Tuesday, federal, local, and NFL officials held a press conference to address the security measures for Super Bowl LVII. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has given the Super Bowl its highest risk designation level, SEAR 1, which requires the most resources. The game will be played on February 12th at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where the Kansas City Chiefs will square off against the Philadelphia Eagles.

DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas has designated U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown as the lead federal coordinator. A range of federal and local partners, including the Center for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the United States Secret Service, are working together to address potential threats to the public, NFL, and Phoenix area.

HSI and its partners have been working for over a year to ensure the safety and security of the Super Bowl. This includes investigations into counterfeit merchandise and operations such as Operation Team Player, an ongoing effort to crack down on the illegal importation of counterfeit sports apparel and merchandise.

Over 40 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are involved in the security effort, with about 800 federal personnel in the Phoenix area. Many undercover officers are in place to monitor crimes, including human trafficking. A no-drone zone and a no-fly zone will be in place around Glendale on game day.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of the public during Super Bowl LVII. Personnel from the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office have deployed their equipment to detect and prevent any nuclear, biological, or chemical threats. Secretary Mayorkas went on to say that these measures have been put in place to make sure that the air is safe and secure.

HSI Arizona, along with its partners, is committed to stopping any illegal activity that may pose a threat to public safety. This includes working to prevent the illicit importation, manufacture, and sale of counterfeit goods and pirated content that violates copyrights and trademarks. The IPR Center leads coordinated efforts with multiple federal and international partners to target contraband that negatively impacts the economy and poses health and safety hazards to the public.

Additionally, more than 40 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including about 800 federal personnel, are a part of the security effort in the Phoenix area. Many undercover officers are in place to monitor crimes, including human trafficking. Public safety officials will monitor Super Bowl activity with a physical presence and in cyberspace to fend off potential threats.

A no-fly zone will be in place around Glendale on game day to prevent any unauthorized drone activity.

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Energy, takes several measures to ensure the safety of large-scale events like the Super Bowl. One of the measures is a helicopter survey that is conducted weeks before the event. The helicopters are equipped with two radiation detectors, which help to survey the background radiation on the ground.

During the survey, the helicopters fly low and slow in a grid pattern to provide a higher resolution of the data. The data collected is used in case of a threat or attack during the event. The NNSA takes note of any radioactive material and investigates to ensure that the material is being used for legitimate and legal purposes. If anything suspicious is detected, the NNSA works with local and federal law enforcement to take over the situation.

In addition to the helicopter survey, the NNSA staff works with law enforcement on the ground to conduct sweeps just weeks before the Super Bowl. The NNSA ensures that all security measures are part of the normal operations to prepare for major public events, and there is no need for alarm. According to Daniel Haber, a scientist with the NNSA, this is just one of the many steps taken to prepare for a safe and secure Super Bowl.

Although the NFL has stated that there are no known specific or credible threats to the game or related events, security remains a top priority. Law enforcement will deploy the most advanced technology in the security world to ensure the safety of all those attending Super Bowl LVII.

The NFL’s security officer, Lanier, stated that law enforcement will use the most advanced technology in the security world to provide a safe and welcoming environment for the public. However, she did not elaborate on the specifics of the technology.

“An event like this is safe and secure because everyone works together—federal, state, local, tribal, law enforcement, fire personnel and emergency responders,” stated Secretary Mayorkas at the news conference.

Public safety officials will monitor Super Bowl activity both physically and in cyberspace to fend off potential threats. The U.S. Navy will conduct a flyover of State Farm Stadium during the national anthem, with female aviators as part of the formation to commemorate 50 years of women flying for that branch of the armed forces.