Denver Police Not Taking Any Chances On Super Bowl Sunday
DENVER (CBS4) – Extra patrols are being ordered and officers' vacations canceled as Denver police prepare for the possibility of mass rioting on Super Bowl Sunday.
Sources said that high ranking members of the Denver Police Department met on Tuesday to discuss plans for potential rioting Sunday night.
Authorities are hoping to avoid the riots that have followed each time a Denver team has won a championship.
Police used gas grenades to break up rioting crowds that started fires, destroyed property and over turned cars the night the Broncos first one the Super Bowl in 1998.
This year squads will be in place before the game is over.
"We want people to have a good time. We just want people to feel safe when they're celebrating," said Denver Police Special Operations Comm. Patrick Phelen.
Fans climbed street poles in Larimer Square in Downtown Denver when the Colorado Avalanche first won the Stanley Cup in 1996.
During the game this year fewer businesses will be open.
"Denver is a classy city with classy fans and I don't anticipate things getting out of hand," said Phelen.
However, police prepare to respond with the same level of force.
Bar owner John Nallen said there will be more people downtown than can fit inside the area.
"It could be the same amount of people at the stadium. They all want to celebrate at the end of the day," said Nallen.
Sources also said that police are cancelling the regular days off for many officers next Tuesday in anticipation of a victory parade.
The Broncos will play the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
