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CNN Sunday Morning

Security, Overriding Story at Super Bowl

Aired February 03, 2002 - 11:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now our Mike Galanos, of CNN's Sports Illustrated is in New Orleans With a preview of the game for us. Hi there, Mike.

MIKE GALANOS, CNNSI CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. How are you? The overriding story right now is really security. We're roughly seven hours before kickoff and as you walk through the streets, at least in the days leading up to the Super Bowl, we noticed the police presence. It's doubled since the Super Bowl was held here in New Orleans the last time. That was back in 1997.

You see military presence, as you walk around Bourbon Street, the French Quarter, the high traffic party areas. We talked to some people, some fans, and asked their reaction to seeing policemen on horses, and the increased presence of police security. Some say it's a little overbearing, but most, I would think 60 to 70 percent say that's what we have to do now and they feel comfortable with that extra security.

As far as the players and the game, the coaches and players have been stowed away since Saturday. They have not talked to the media since Friday. Light walk-throughs as far as practice, try to get some sleep, and of course you talk about the big game. The Rams, the two- touchdown favorite. New England will be trying to do what they can to keep that game close.

That's the line on the game, but again, the overriding story right now, security and we want to bring in our special guest now, the Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, Dwayne Johnson. First off, Dwayne, I know this is a very busy day for you. Thanks for taking time to join us.

DWAYNE JOHNSON, NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT: Good morning, Mike.

GALANOS: Good morning. First off, as we've walked through the streets of New Orleans, we've seen streets blocked off. We're down here on the River Walk. Even the Mississippi River closed off to commerce. Fans walking around and they see the increased police presence. How have things gone so far security wise?

JOHNSON: Well they've really gone well. We have an increased presence to make the people feel safe, you know. This is a party city. We want to encourage the tourism. We certainly want people to have a good time in New Orleans and then come back and visit us again.

GALANOS: How are people reacting to it? Are you getting complaints, or are people mostly cooperative?

JOHNSON: Well, I think most people are cooperative. I think they expected the extra security, and certainly they appreciate it. I think there's a sense of well being that certainly makes them happy to be here.

GALANOS: As fans go to the game today, they're being advised to arrive very early. What do you expect? When do you want people there and how's this going to go smoothly?

JOHNSON: Well, I think it's important that they come three to four hours ahead of time, and although that may sound a lot, the security that's going to be in place around the dome is going to include pat downs and magnetometers and certainly we don't want anybody to miss the beginning of the kickoff.

So if they come a little early, there's entertainment that's being planned around the outside of the dome, some bands and things they can listen to. So that will keep them busy before the game starts.

GALANOS: Chief, could you be a little more specific as far as what can the fan expect? When they arrive, are they walking through a fenced-off area? What's going to be the fan experience as they arrive at the dome?

JOHNSON: Well, there's a fence that entirely surrounds the Superdome, and it's to house the outer perimeter. That's established by the Secret Service, and in that, it has magnetometers and a station under tents where there's going to be some pat downs, and people are going to be checked. They're going to be screened and that's going to take some time when you bring in 80,000 plus into a stadium within a few short hours.

GALANOS: Right. Dwayne Johnson, Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, thank you very much for taking the time and we wish you the best on this very busy Super Bowl Sunday.

JOHNSON: I hope you enjoy the River Walk and have a good time down there.

GALANOS: All right. Thanks. And, Fredricka, you heard it. Again, the people know what's coming. They know that it's going to be increased security. They know they're going to be delayed. One other advice to the fan, travel light, you show up with a ticket and a wallet, your security check is going to be very light and easy. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: That's right. Those fans have to leave a lot of creature comforts at home. But how about for those of you who are working the game. You have to undergo quite a bit of scrutiny as well entering. Cell phones is something that you need as one of your tools. But what is happening as you try to enter the dome? GALANOS: Well, it's not going to be quite as stringent, I think for us in the media. We can bring in a few more items. We need cell phones and pagers and some of those electronic items that fans are being discouraged to bring. But we're being advised to show up at least a couple of hours before kickoff, so we can get there.

We don't want to miss opening kickoff as well. We're going to be going through the x-ray machines and the metal detectors as well. So like the fans, we have to embrace this as well and deal with it, and know that this is just part of the new world.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much, Mike Galanos in New Orleans, giving us an idea of what tight security they really do have there in New Orleans for the Super Bowl game.

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