Published: 01/31/2008
Throwing a Super party; Glendale braces for fans' arrival
By JJ HugginsStaff Writer
"We've probably got 30 or 40 cases of Bud Light," said Glen Vick, security manager at Hell's Half Acre.
They will be giving patrons cans of beer at that bar, or bartenders will pour it into plastic cups. The staff does not want hundreds of rowdy fans holding bottles, Vick said.
"You don't want glass floating around," he said.
Fans are mainly sticking to three places: Glendale, Phoenix and Scottsdale. Glendale is sort of an up-and-coming city. It's on the edge of the Phoenix metropolitan area and has been the site of sprawling development in recent years. Phoenix is a big city with a well-kept downtown, and Scottsdale is the swanky city where people go out to eat in upscale restaurants and bars.
As the party goes on and picks up steam, the NFL is turning its eyes toward heavy security for game day. "A cast of thousands" of police and military personnel will be on hand at the Super Bowl, a league spokesman said yesterday.
Military, police and security workers will provide security at the stadium, spokesman Brian McCarthy said. He said he couldn't even begin to put an exact number on the number of personnel that will be there.
"Literally, a cast of thousands," he said.
This is the biggest sporting event in the country, and the nation is in a post-Sept. 11 world, he said. There will be local police from around the region, Secret Service, FBI, ATF, the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and the Marines, he said.
The NFL is even hiring three private security firms to assist.
The NFL is increasing its security screening for fans entering the game. Fans will be patted down and will walk through metal detectors. NFL officials recommend fans arrive early. The stadium gates open at noon.
Temporary flight restrictions will prohibit private aircraft from flying around the stadium, according to the NFL.
PG1 BOX
Glendale is Super braced
Extra police: 30 officers on the streets all the time, instead of the usual 21.
$450 to watch game on TV: An all-day eating and drinking festival offered by one bar includes 45 big-screen TVs and mingling with swimsuit models.
Beer trucks stay put: Two Budweiser delivery trucks to be parked in the entertainment district. One bar ordered 60 kegs.
No bottles: Bartenders at lounges will pour beer into plastic cups or give cans to customers.
