Sports

As Many As 20 Threats A Day Leading Up To Super Bowl

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Russ Read Pentagon/Foreign Policy Reporter
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The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) is responding to as many as 20 Super Bowl threats a day in preparations for America’s premier sporting event Feb. 7.

The SJPD’s command post is operational as of Sunday, with police monitoring essentially all Super Bowl-related issues, reports San Jose’s CBS affiliate KPIX. It is believed tens of thousands of visitors are already taking part in celebrations that will take place throughout the week until Sunday’s game.

“The idea is to keep our chief here and let the lieutenants and the sergeants and officers work out the problems out in the street,” said Lt. Mike Sullivan to KPIX Thursday.

Depending on the nature of the threat being investigated, SJPD may utilize SWAT teams and K9 units comprised of bomb-sniffing dogs. Active shooter situations are one scenario the police are trained and prepared for.

“We’re really going to be everywhere; where those teams are going, doing explosive sweeps prior to their arrival. And — again — not just the teams, but public safety in general,” said Sgt. Dave Anaya.

In December of last year, two radical Islamic terrorists, Tashfeen Malik and Syed Farook, killed 14 and injured another 17 during a mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. The event and its aftermath captured the nation’s attention and raised concerns that something similar could happen at one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

“We understand that there’s a concern out there with events that have happened with San Bernardino and Paris. You know, people are a little edgy,” said Lt. Jason Dwyer in response to the two terrorist attacks. “We understand that we also have to, you know, strike a delicate balance between being too overbearing and creating the appearance of a police state with being ready to respond and being vigilant.”

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