Posted by Federal Coordinator Andrew McLees: Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations - Newark
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proud to support the State of New Jersey, the National Football League and our federal, state and local partners as they work to keep Super Bowl XLVIII fans safe before, during and after this weekend’s big game.
Today, Secretary Johnson visited MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. where he met with local law enforcement officials and was briefed on security operations at and around the Stadium, including the assets deployed by DHS to support state and local law enforcement security efforts.
DHS entities have worked closely with our federal, state and local partners over the past year in the planning and preparation for the Super Bowl, and providing support in the following ways:
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams, comprised of Federal Air Marshals, surface and aviation transportation security inspectors, Behavioral Detection Officers, Transportation Security Officers, and canine teams, are helping secure transit to and from the stadium.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and non-intrusive inspection equipment scan the cargo entering the stadium for contraband such as narcotics, weapons, and explosives.
- CBP Office of Air and Marine will enforce Air Space Security.
- The U.S. Coast Guard will support maritime and waterways security.
- CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will conduct operations specifically targeting counterfeit vendors and local merchants of game-related sportswear. This is part of a crackdown on intellectual property rights (IPR) violations and to ensure fans are getting official Super Bowl related memorabilia.
- TSA is sending additional screeners and doubling the checkpoint lanes at Newark Liberty International Airport for the influx of fans traveling for the game. TSA will also conduct baggage screening operation at Secaucus Junction station on the day of the game
To help keep fans safe, DHS is continuing our partnership with the NFL through the “If You See Something, Say Something™” public awareness campaign, first launched at Super Bowl 45. Time and time again, we see the value of this kind of public vigilance. Fans and visitors in the New York and New Jersey area will see the “If You See Something, Say Something™” message at the airport, hotels, on buses, and billboards leading up to and throughout Super Bowl weekend. The message will also appear in the game day program, the official fan guide, and on the video board during the game.
In addition to DHS support, 13 other federal offices are assisting. These interagency partnerships – including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Defense – are essential to the safety and security of this event.
Securing an event like the Super Bowl is a shared responsibility, and we all have a role to play. As the Federal Coordinating Officer for Super Bowl XLVIII, I am proud of our work with our federal, state, local and law enforcement partners, the NFL, event staff and volunteers, as well as the public, to help ensure the safety and security of everyone who is in town for the big game.
Secretary Johnson meets with security officials (including Federal Coordinator Andrew McLees, center) at MetLife Stadium during a security briefing for Super Bowl XLVIII as DHS's "If You See Something, Say Something(TM)" messaging appears on the video boards.