MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - In the wake of the New Orleans terror attack, local officials in South Florida said they have a game plan on and off the field to keep fans safe before and during the Orange Bowl.
As preparations continue for next week’s game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade Police said they revisited their security plan for the game after the New Year’s Day attack along Bourbon Street.
“There’s a lot of fears in the community. We want to ease them,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff-elect Rosie Cordero-Stutz. “There is no related credible threat for the Orange Bowl right now.”
Speaking with 7News on Friday, Cordero-Stutz addressed safety concerns and plans to protect the public.
“We start planning for the next year’s event a year in advance,” she said. “We had a robust security plan in place for the Orange Bowl, but we have revisited it, and based on what has occurred we’ve made changes, we’ve increased our presence.”
While they already had a solid plan, Cordero-Stutz said the attack in New Orleans, which took place on the same day as the Sugar Bowl was initially scheduled to take place at the Superdome, prompted them to ramp up security measures for the upcoming Orange Bowl.
“Obviously, it just makes sense to take a look at what has occurred and make sure that we’re not vulnerable in those areas,” said Cordero-Stutz.
Hard Rock Stadium will have more officers on game day than originally planned. There will be two armed vehicles instead of one, as well as several sweeps of the stadium using K-9s before ticketholders take their seats.
“Every one of our agencies, all of us, have stepped up our game,” she said. “Traditionally we have one armored vehicle on site, we’ll have two armored vehicles. We’ve also increased some smaller tactical vehicles that will allow us to move throughout the property a little bit quicker.”
Multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, are said to be working with Miami-Dade Police to monitor possible threats.
“That’s all starting now. We’re not waiting for next week, and we’re going to continue in that posture to make sure that everything goes as safely and securely as possible,” said Cortero-Stutz.
Miami Beach Police said there will also be more security in Miami Beach ahead of the Orange Bowl pep rally on Lincoln Road the day before the game.
“We already had a plan, and we’re going to continue to assess that plan and ensure that we have all the resources necessary to make sure it’s a safe time,” said Officer Christopher Bess, Miami Beach Police spokesperson.
Authorities said a dozen drones will be able to monitor crowds from the sky and SWAT teams will be on hand.
Cordero-Stutz also urged the public to help the police out by reporting anything that seems suspicious.
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