The 60th edition of the Super Bowl (Super Bowl LX) week officially kicked off in San Francisco on February 2nd. Mayor Daniel Lurie stated during a briefing that the city of San Francisco has made thorough preparations for this highly anticipated national sports event, with public safety being a top priority.
Mayor Lurie expressed at the San Francisco Police Department briefing, “I believe we will bring a fun and safe Super Bowl week for residents and visitors… We are ready to showcase San Francisco’s restaurants, small businesses, parks, and all the charm of this city to the world.”
The Super Bowl, the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), is one of the largest and most impactful sports events in the United States. With its historically high viewership, the event garners widespread attention and celebrations across the host city. Traditionally, the Super Bowl is held on the last Sunday in January or the first Sunday in February each year.
This edition of the Super Bowl will officially take place on February 8th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, culminating a week of Super Bowl activities in the Bay Area, expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors. San Francisco, as the home of the 49ers, is hosting the Super Bowl for the second time, the last being in 2016.
Throughout the Super Bowl week, nearly 300 events will be held across San Francisco, including the NFL Pro Bowl Games at the Moscone Center on Tuesday, concerts at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and community activities like NFL Play 60.
Mayor Lurie emphasized that San Francisco is at the heart of Super Bowl activities, but “public safety is my top priority this week and every week.”
Law enforcement and emergency forces throughout the city have been significantly strengthened this week: San Francisco Police Department has canceled all leaves and put all personnel on duty; the Sheriff’s Office of San Francisco County will deploy additional law enforcement to assist; firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and nurses are on standby; community outreach teams continue to assist the homeless population in accessing shelter and services.
Additionally, the BART Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and federal agencies will increase security measures at transportation hubs and key areas, as well as initiate counterterrorism cooperation.
Mayor Lurie also stated that the San Francisco Police Department and local law enforcement agencies will not participate in federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing their responsibility to ensure the safety of all individuals.
In response to questions from reporters, Mayor Lurie added that the deployment of state and federal law enforcement personnel to San Francisco is consistent with past Super Bowl activities, primarily focusing on providing counterterrorism support to the county/municipality.
Police Chief Derrick Lew mentioned during the meeting that police forces have been deployed at key areas such as Yerba Buena Gardens, the Super Bowl Experience Zone at the Moscone Center, major concert venues, and bars in San Francisco, with local and regional command centers set up to monitor activities in real time.
Fire Chief Dean Crispen stated that fire stations have increased manpower, with a focus on densely crowded areas, hotels, and pedestrian streets to ensure quick responses to fires and medical emergencies.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins reminded the public to be vigilant against two types of crimes: drunk driving and human trafficking.
She urged citizens and visitors to utilize public transportation and ride-sharing services, advising against drunk driving in San Francisco, as there will be strict monitoring by the San Francisco Police Department and California Highway Patrol to arrest offenders.
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto mentioned that all personnel will be on duty this week, with law enforcement covering downtown and major event areas to ensure order and environmental safety.
David Murphy, Chief Forester of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, highlighted that all city parks will be open during Super Bowl week, with a significant increase in forest rangers.
Mary Ellen Carroll, Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), urged the public to register for AlertSF to receive timely traffic, weather, and safety information, and reminded them to dial 911 in life-threatening emergencies, and 311 for non-emergency issues.
Officials also cautioned that road closures will occur during the event, recommending the public to use public transportation or walk if possible, and check the latest travel information released by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) in advance.
Furthermore, citizens and visitors are advised to remain vigilant and seek assistance from staff or call 911 promptly in case of emergencies.