Super Bowl Security Involves Many

Super Bowl safety is a major concern in the post 9-11 world, and Valley law enforcement agencies say they're ready for Super Bowl XLII in Glendale on Feb. 3.

Thousands will flock to the Valley for the Super Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium, and they will be joined by thousands more for the FBR Open Golf Tournament in Scottsdale that same weekend.

Things have changed since SuperBowl XXX, played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, five years before the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington. Emergency personnel are working overtime to make sure everyone stays safe.

``We've enhanced our biological and chemical terrorism surveillance systems within this lab. As part of the Super Bowl, I'd like to point out that we are ramping up activities," said Victor Waddell, director of the State Public Health Lab.

Waddell said lab employees will be working long hours.

``We will be running the lab 24-7, so if anything happens, any acts of so-called potential terrorism, we'll be available to test samples and get a rapid response out to first responders," he said.

Those first responders also are gearing up for the big weekend.

``We've made a number of preparations to prepare for emergency response during the Super Bowl," said Glendale Deputy Fire Chief Mike Montgomery. He said the Fire Department will call in additional staff as needed and assured residents that normal day-to-day services will not be affected. Anyone with an emergency should call 9-1-1 as they normally would, Montgomery said.

Meanwhile, all police agencies in the Valley are working with Glendale Police to make Super Bowl week a success.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Andy Hill said lots of uniformed officers will be patrolling he streets and double the number of undercover officers will be on duty, watching for crimes usually associated with big events.

``If you are a pick pocket, a prostitute or a pimp, we don't want you in the Valley," Hill said.

He added, ``A lot of people come to the Valley to try to prey upon those who are visiting or those who live here, simply because of a number of big events that are going on. We don't want you here, and if you are here, there will be a lot of officers out there and a lot of them will be undercover and you will end up in jail."

Authorities said there have been no terror threats against the Super Bowl to date.