Seattle police prepare for Super Bowl, win or lose
Jan 31, 2014, 5:37 PM | Updated: 9:53 pm
The Seattle Police Department will increase patrols citywide before, during, and after the Super Bowl Sunday. (AP image)
(AP image)
Win or lose, Seattle Police say they’re ready for Seahawks fans on Sunday.
The department will increase patrols citywide before, during, and after the big game.
“Officers are going to be in all the neighborhoods in all five precincts,” said Detective Mark Jamieson with the Seattle Police Department.
“We do understand that if there is a win, people are obviously going to be celebrating. Our take on it is we want to make sure people are doing it safely.”
A number of officers will be deployed on foot and in cars looking for alcohol and drug-impaired drivers.
For those worried about riots if Seattle loses, Jamieson points to the 2006 Super Bowl.
He said there were no major incidents in the city after the Seahawks lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“The 12th Man are very vocal, very passionate fans, but they don’t get out of control. And we don’t expect that to change, but we are prepared and we do have a plan,” he said.
Police are prepared for what Jamieson called “spontaneous celebrations” if the Seahawks win, but he said at some point, police will have to clear the streets to allow for normal traffic in neighborhoods like Pioneer Square and Capitol Hill.
