NEW ORLEANS — Six days and counting before Super Bowl LIX kickoff, the NFL and Department of Homeland Security unveiled their plan to make the Superdome the “safest place to be” on Sunday night.
“I’m confident the safest place this weekend will be under the security umbrella we have in place around [the Superdome],” NFL chief security officer Cathy L. Lanier said Monday morning at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center following the Super Bowl kickoff news conference. “We have reviewed, and re-reviewed, all the events of January 1.”
Lanier’s plan for ensuring a safe Super Bowl in New Orleans, the ninth on her watch, is two years in the making. Radical adjustments were made to the plan, including opening gates to fans at 1:30 p.m. CT, in response to the deadly terrorist attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens on New Year’s Day. College football’s Sugar Bowl was delayed one day and security — tactical assets and other “force multipliers” — was bolstered with snipers positioned on rooftops outside the Superdome.
“We are committed to having a safe environment for everybody that attends,” Kristi Noem, U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary, said. “Right now, we have no credible threats for the game on Sunday.”
The FBI has 450 personnel in New Orleans to investigate threats and crimes this week.
Noem said a blueprint for communication during major events is a significant change set in motion after the New Year’s attack predating her taking office. She leaned on special agent in charge, Eric DeLaune, one of 700 personnel from the Homeland Security department. DeLaune has been the federal coordinator for Super Bowl LIX.
“The world is a much more dangerous place. But right now, we are safe here in the homeland,” Noem said.
Noem called for “thousands of fans visiting the city” to be vocal and “if you see something, say something” to a uniformed officer.
DeLaune, a special agent in charge of New Orleans investigations, thanked colleagues and the multiple agencies involved for their commitment to prevent an attack and coordinate security of “land, air and public” for the next seven days.
“Our citizens have seen death and destruction in a place that represents all of America,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said, noting he visited with families of victims from the attack before the Sugar Bowl. He said the survivors of the victims shared one common message. “That America would continue to stand up to those who intend to wreak havoc on us, and that they would go on enjoying their lives.”
New Orleans is hosting the game for the 11th time.