There are no known terrorist threats directed against Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday, NYPD Commissioner William Bratton told the media at a security briefing today. Flanked by other security professionals involved in protecting the game and the festivities leading up to it, Bratton also projected 1 million visitors would come to Super Bowl Boulevard in the heart of Manhattan through Saturday. The NYPD has a heightened police presence in the area, but Bratton cautioned no one is security-screened to attend.
Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said the recent mass transit bombings near Sochi have increased concerns about similar acts in the N.Y. area, with 10,000-15,000 fans expected to arrive at the game via rail. All trains leaving the Secaucus, N.J., train junction for MetLife Stadium will have already been cleared before departing. Passengers once disembarking will then be screened.
More than 100 agencies and 28 committees have been planning the security of the Super Bowl over the last three years, Fuentes said. Jeff Miller, the NFL’s head of security, said he has “a great deal of confidence in the safety” of the Super Bowl.
