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Security To Be Super Size

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By DAVE NICHOLSON

dnicholson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

PLANT CITY - Security will be so thorough that Raymond James Stadium will be the safest place in the country on Super Bowl Sunday, an NFL security representative said.

Dan Grossi, a retired Tampa police officer who works for the National Football League's security division, said the NFL and local, state and federal officers have worked for months to come up with a plan to keep the game safe. Super Bowls and Olympic games have the highest levels of security of any sporting events, he said.

Security will be much tighter than when Raymond James hosted its last Super Bowl in 2001, a few months before the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, he said. Security, which had been minimal at Super Bowls, was ratcheted up after the attacks, he said. The NFL has 35 investigators who report to the security division based in New York.

Grossi, who was featured speaker Jan. 14 at the monthly breakfast meeting of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, outlined a few of the security measures:

•Fans who attend Sunday's game will go through security similar to that faced by passengers boarding an airliner, as officers use metal detectors and X-ray machines. Purses will be permitted but not backpacks.

•Dale Mabry Highway around the Tampa stadium will be closed leading up to and during the game.

•Vehicles will be banned from the stadium and perimeter on game day. Prior to game day, vehicles making deliveries to the stadium will be searched extensively.

•There will be extensive use of barriers and fences outside the stadium.

•Security will also be tight in downtown Tampa and hotels housing the players.

Grossi, who has been involved in planning for 12 Super Bowls, said fans understand and support the need for heightened security.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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