The Super Bowl is less than a month away and city leaders and law enforcement say they’re ready for the big event, despite there being fewer police officers on the street.
Glendale will host the Super Bowl, but the city of Phoenix is the site of other game-related activities. In 2008, there was a greater police presence on the ground. But in the seven years since, the Phoenix Police Department has lost more than 500 officers.
Despite that, law enforcement officials say they can provide a safe and secure setting for this year’s Super Bowl. Phoenix Assistant Chief Dave Harvey said local departments are working with other agencies and they’re more than ready:
"Being partnered with the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service and the FBI, that is a great resource, so that we have good understanding regarding a global picture and we’ve been working with them through the last year," Harvey said.
Harvey said the agencies have run through many situations, from something as big as a cyber attack to minor incidents including disruptions in public transportation.
