Big time security in place for big game

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The nation’s top Homeland Security official was in Indianapolis Wednesday, detailing some of the plans to keep fans and visitors safe during Super Bowl festivities.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said there have been no specific or credible threats in against Super Bowl XLVI events, but a high level security plan is in place nonetheless. Napolitano called the Super Bowl a Level 1 national security event.

It involves dozens of agencies and thousands of law enforcement offials. But a major part of the security plan involves the public.

"We are continuing a partnership with the NFL League (for the) ‘If you see something, say something’ public campaign," Napolitano said.

The awareness and reporting campaign was first used at Super Bowl XLV in Dallas.

"We have seen time and time again that the public itself is some of our best preventers. We could say that about the Times Square bomber in 2010, we can say that about the reported bomber in Spokane, Wash., the reported assassin out of Killeen, Texas," Napolitano said.

Indy's Super Bowl security plan involves 35 different law enforcement agencies. Walk through downtown, and you will see many of them on the ground and in the air.

Earlier this week IMPD had to overcome two security-related problems. Officers’ radios were not working at one point, and the video wall at the Regional Operations Center crashed. Public Safety Director Frank Straub said those issues have been fixed.

In preparation for Sunday’s game, the Department of Homeland Security trained 8,000 stadium staffers and volunteers in what's called first-observer anti-terrorism and security awareness training.

Along with the large police presence downtown, the NFL is adding an additional security force of its own for the game.

"We have hired in excess of 3,000 private security and crowd management personnel and staff of private security experts to assist in coordinating the security for this event," said Jeff Miller, who oversees Super Bowl security for the NFL.

Miller said fans going to the game should expect some delays at the security checkpoints. He recommends ticket holders leave all bags, purses and camera cases at home. They will not be allowed into Lucas Oil Stadium.

The NFL released a list of prohibited items for the Super Bowl:

PROHIBITED ITEMS IN LUCAS OIL STADIUM FOR SUPER BOWL XLVI

The following list is a guide only. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

• Weapons of any kind
• Fireworks
• Camcorders
• Umbrellas
• Strollers
• Beach balls
• Frisbees
• Poles, Sticks
• Laser lights and pointers
• Containers of any type
• Coolers of any size
• Backpacks
• Bottles
• Cans, hairspray
• Camera cases and binocular cases/tripods
• Mace/pepper spray
• Banners
• Noisemakers, Horns

Cameras and Binoculars – Small cameras and binoculars will be allowed. Camera cases and binocular cases are prohibited. No spectator cameras with lenses longer than six inches will be permitted. Camcorders are prohibited.

Electronic Devices – Spectators are strongly urged not to bring electronic devices into the stadium. Any electronic device will be thoroughly inspected, causing delays for the spectator with the device. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, camcorders, televisions, radios, and computer tablets.