Local Cops Play Key Role in Super Bowl Security

Two days until the Super Bowl and security in Minneapolis and surrounding areas are at an all-time high. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security rates the area as a Level 1 “special event assessment rating,” the highest threat level. Thousands of law enforcement officers, including many from the northwest metro are joining forces to keep everyone safe.

“We have planned this out from every angle and every thought process,” said John Elder, Minneapolis public information officer.

Elder, who’s also a New Hope City Council member, says plans have been in the works for two years.

“We have 60 police agencies from across the state here helping us to handle crowds, traffic, and all aspects of the 10 days of the Super Bowl block,” explained Elder.

Several officers from New Hope are part of the Super Bowl security team. 

“New Hope is only five square miles and it feels like this place is just humongous compared to that,” said Jared Kuyper.

Thursday night he was paired up with fellow New Hope officer Marty Williams. The two spent their time looking for anything suspicious on Nicollet Mall. Their presence is meant to be a deterrent. Besides patrolling, they talked with fans, some asking to take pictures with them.

“Thanks for everything you guys do. Stay safe and warm tonight,” said one woman. 

While the New Hope officers enjoy talking and mingling with the crowd, their primary goal is to keep everyone out of harm’s way. There’s no imminent threat, but should something happen, they say they’re ready. Police officials say they have the latest and greatest technology tools at their disposal.

“Officers can take video from their phones and it feeds back real time to the multi-agency command center,” said Elder.

So, for now, the only threat might be the subzero temperatures.

“I compare this to working the State Fair, just at negative 20 degrees,” said Kuyper.