KANSAS CITY, Mo. — This year’s Super Bowl victory celebration, no matter the outcome of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, is anticipated to see an increased focus on security and heightened emotions.
Last year’s Chiefs victory parade faced tragedy with a shooting that resulted in one fatality and injuries to around twenty others. Moreover, a Philadelphia Eagles fan tragically lost their life after falling from a light pole during celebrations for the team’s NFC championship victory just last month.
In preparation for the possibility of a Chiefs victory, Kansas City intends to enhance its police presence, while Philadelphia is considering measures such as greasing light poles to deter climbers if the Eagles win. As the host city of the Super Bowl, New Orleans is also taking precautions by blocking off specific traffic routes, especially considering a recent truck-ramming incident on New Year’s Day.
Branson Albertson, a fan, expressed his concerns for safety at the event when he and his family took pictures at Union Station in Kansas City, which is located near where last year’s shooting occurred. “There’s a lot of people that’ll think twice about attending an event like that,” he admitted, yet remained confident about the anticipation for a large turnout.
Alex del Carmen, an associate dean of criminology at Tarleton State University in Texas, shared insights on the complexities of hosting large open events like victory parades, which can be both unpredictable and attract massive crowds. Reflecting on last year, he noted that Chiefs players were interacting closely with fans as they traveled through packed downtown Kansas City, but expects this year might necessitate adjustments regardless of the location of the festivities.
Celebratory gatherings in U.S. sports history have unfortunately been marred by violence as well. There was a shooting in Denver’s downtown that injured multiple individuals following the Nuggets’ NBA championship in 2023, and gunfire at a lot close to the Texas Rangers’ World Series parade. Such events are subject to thorough analysis, as noted by Del Carmen, who emphasized the importance of learning from prior happenings for future planning.
Despite best safety efforts, there are limitations to the measures that can be enacted, particularly in Kansas City, a region with lax gun regulations. Last year’s incident occurred amid a significant police presence, with over 800 officers monitoring a crowd of approximately 1 million people, amounting to less than 1,000 paradegoers for each officer. “When you have that many people compacted into a confined space and everybody is shoulder to shoulder, it’s just hard to see everything,” reflected Jason Armstrong, a police consultant and former chief in Ferguson and Apex.
Mayor Quinton Lucas mentioned plans to deploy an additional 200 officers should the Chiefs claim victory again, alongside a strategy to expedite the parade’s progress. He acknowledged the concerns some individuals may have about attending the celebrations and stated, “I understand that and I get that.”
Sharon Billington, a loyal Chiefs supporter, voiced her apprehension, stating she would prefer to watch the festivities from home after a frightening experience when her family attended last year’s event. “The world is just not in a position to have that right now,” she remarked, referencing her fears surrounding large gatherings.
In Philadelphia, known for its fervent fan base, crowds have demonstrated boisterous behavior in the past. Eagles fans have been known to climb street signs and traffic lights as part of their enthusiastic celebrations. Following the recent tragic incident involving a student, Mayor Cherelle Parker has urged fans to prioritize safety during celebrations.
Ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, city officials have promised to enhance safety measures, including increased police presence and road closures around significant gathering areas such as City Hall and the stadium district. “The Philadelphia Police Department is on an all-hands-on-deck approach to ensure everyone’s safety,” stated Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel, ready to facilitate a smooth celebration. Mayor Parker echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of preventing tragedies during what should be a joyful occasion.
