Increased Security Measures for Super Bowl Celebrations

This year's Super Bowl victory celebration will see heightened security and nervousness, regardless of the winning team in the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

A shooting at last year's Chiefs victory rally resulted in one death and injured approximately two dozen others. Additionally, a Philadelphia Eagles fan died last month after falling from a light pole while celebrating the team's NFC championship victory.

Kansas City intends to enhance police presence if the Chiefs secure their third consecutive title, while Philadelphia may apply grease to its poles to discourage climbers in the event of an Eagles win. New Orleans, the host city, will also implement traffic route closures following a New Year’s Day truck-ramming attack.

"There's a lot of people that'll think twice about attending an event like that," noted fan Branson Albertson, who visited Kansas City's Chiefs-bedecked Union Station, near the site of last year's shooting. "But I still think there'll be a big turnout," he added.

Victory parades pose unique challenges due to their open and unpredictable nature, attracting large crowds, as explained by Alex del Carmen, associate dean at Tarleton State University’s criminology school.

Last year, Chiefs players jumped off floats to engage with fans during the parade. However, this year is likely to see some adjustments in the celebrations, regardless of the outcome.

Similar incidents of violence have occurred in other U.S. sports celebrations, including a shooting in 2023 in downtown Denver after the Nuggets' NBA championship and a parking lot shooting following the Texas Rangers' World Series parade.

Del Carmen shared the importance of learning from past events to improve safety measures for future celebrations. However, he acknowledged the limitations imposed by Kansas City's fewer gun restrictions and previous incidents of violence even with a substantial police presence.

If the Chiefs emerge victorious, Kansas City plans to deploy an additional 200 officers and expedite the parade. Mayor Quinton Lucas emphasized the city's commitment to planning for every possible scenario, although he recognized that some individuals may feel hesitant to attend.

Sharon Billington, a Chiefs fan, shared her anxiety about large gatherings, opting to watch the celebrations on TV this year after experiencing fear at the previous year's festivities.

Philadelphia is known for its passionate fan base, with incidents of fans scaling poles and structures to express their enthusiasm. Following the recent death of a student after falling from a pole, Mayor Cherelle Parker is urging fans to prioritise safety.

City officials have vowed to ensure readiness for the celebrations, increasing police presence and closing critical roads to facilitate safe gatherings.

"The Philadelphia Police Department is on an all-hands-on-deck approach to ensure everyone's safety," stated Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel, promising full-force readiness across the city for the festivities.

"You don't want to be in a celebratory moment and have a tragedy occur," added Mayor Parker.